Kenya

Recommended Vaccinations For Kenya

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against the disease.

For Some Travellers

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 1 year of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. Vaccination is not recommended to Nairobi, Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa and/or the counties of the former Coast Provine, as well as the cities if Malindi, Kwale,Lamu, Mombasa, except Taita-Taveta.

Polio Vaccine

A single lifetime booster dose of Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) is recommended for adults who received the routine polio vaccination series as children.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended to infants 6 to 11 months prior to international travel.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

A BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Meningitis Vaccine

Because this country is located in the sub-Saharan meningitis belt, vaccination against meningitis is recommended if travelling during the dry season (December to March) in northwest Kenya.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through the consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where water and food sources may be contaminated.

Recommended Medications For Kenya

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

With the exception of Nairobi and highlands above 2,500 meters, there is a risk of exposure to malaria throughout Kenya. Recommended anti-malaria medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Kenya

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Kenya.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks occur in Kenya, and the risk to travellers is significant.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Kenya through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Cholera

Cholera may occur in Kenya.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

For Some Travellers

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in Kenya through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus

Measles

There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in the country. The infection is transmitted by the bite of infected phlebotomine sandfly.

Meningitis

Outbreaks of meningitis may occur in Kenya usually during the dry season from December through March.

Yellow Fever

There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in Kenya.

MERS

This is a viral infection transmitted via direct or indirect contact with infected camels/camel-related products. Symptoms include fever, breathing difficulties, and cough that can sometimes lead to severe shortness of breath. MERS-CoV is known to most commonly occur in camel-owning households in Kenya.

West Nile Fever

The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash.

Polio

There is a risk of acquiring Polio in the country and is transmitted from one person to another when droplets from a sneeze or cough of an infected person gets into the mouth of another person.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

Marburg Haemorrhagic Fever

Marburg hemorrhagic fever is caused by touching infected animals or their body fluids ; touching body fluids (blood or sweat) from an infected person or objects contaminated with the body fluids of a person infected with Ebola or Marburg virus.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in Kenya.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 2)

This disease occurs in Kenya. High-risk areas are Nyanza Province, Western Province, and southwestern Rift Valley Province. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Kenya, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Malaria

All areas including wildlife reserves and parks in Kenya at altitudes below 2,500 meters (<8,202 ft) are at risk for malaria. There is a low risk of transmission in Nairobi and the highlands above 2,500 meters.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to Kenya are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Schistosomiasis

The parasite that causes schistosomiasis is found in Kenya. It is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease occurs in this country.

Safety & Security in Kenya

Personal Safety

Violent crime remains a serious concern across Kenya, particularly in major cities. Mugging, armed robbery, carjacking, and home invasions occur regularly in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu, including during daylight hours. Motorcycle-borne thieves target pedestrians and motorists in crowded areas, grabbing items and fleeing quickly. Police capacity to respond effectively to serious crimes is limited. Crime rates typically increase in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Avoid walking alone in isolated areas at any time of day. Demonstrations and strikes are common, especially in Nairobi, and often escalate to violence. Security forces have used tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition during protests, resulting in numerous deaths. Protests related to the 2024 Finance Bill killed at least 60 people in June and July 2024, with over 120 deaths reported in protest-related violence since mid-2024. The anniversary of these protests in June 2025 saw renewed clashes that killed at least 16 people. Avoid all political gatherings, large crowds, and demonstrations. Monitor local media closely as situations can change rapidly. Beware of drink spiking and methanol poisoning through alcoholic beverages. Police and immigration officials frequently solicit bribes from foreign nationals. Tourist-focused crimes include theft at popular attractions, with reports of valuables stolen from tents in the Maasai Mara and other safari destinations.

Extreme Violence

Terrorism remains a persistent threat throughout Kenya. Al-Shabaab conducts regular attacks along the Kenya-Somalia border, primarily targeting security forces but also resulting in civilian casualties. The group recorded its highest activity in 2023 with 122 events, continuing into 2024 with increased operations. Attacks typically involve improvised explosive devices (IEDs), ambushes, and remote explosives targeting police and military convoys. In 2023, attacks occurred in Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, and Lamu counties. On June 13, 2023, an IED killed eight police officers in Garissa County. In March 2024, an explosive device in Mandera town killed at least four people including two police officers. Al-Shabaab activities intensified in summer 2023 after being pushed from strongholds in central Somalia, displacing operations into Kenya. Terrorist attacks can occur with little warning and target hotels, embassies, restaurants, shopping malls, markets, schools, police stations, places of worship, and other locations frequented by foreigners and tourists. The 2013 Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi killed 67 people, and the 2015 Garissa University attack killed 148. There is growing support for Daesh (ISIS) in Kenya, with specific threats against western and Jewish targets. Kidnapping by terrorist groups poses a high risk across Kenya, particularly near the Somali border. Pastoralist militia violence affects northern Kenya, with more than 60% of incidents directly targeting civilians in 2023 and 2024. Ethnic militias engage in banditry, cattle rustling, and territorial conflicts over land and water resources in counties including Baringo, Turkana, West Pokot, Marsabit, and Isiolo.

Political Unrest

Kenya experienced significant political unrest in 2024 and 2025, primarily driven by youth-led protests against government policies and corruption. The 2024 Finance Bill protests began in June 2024 when the government proposed tax increases on essential goods and services. Demonstrations started peacefully on June 18, 2024, but escalated when parliament passed the bill on June 19. On June 25, 2024, protesters stormed parliament buildings, setting parts on fire, resulting in at least 60 deaths according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. The government withdrew the Finance Bill on June 26, but protests continued through August 2024. Rights groups reported that security forces killed at least 65 people during protests or in detention throughout 2024. Bodies showing signs of torture were found in rivers, forests, abandoned quarries, and mortuaries. At least 73 abductions of perceived protest leaders occurred between June and August 2024, with victims detained without legal rights, held in unlawful facilities including forests and abandoned buildings, and denied access to families and lawyers. Protests resumed in June 2025 to mark the anniversary of the 2024 violence. On June 25, 2025, demonstrations in 27 of Kenya’s 47 counties resulted in at least 16 deaths and approximately 400 injuries. Protests in 2025 were also triggered by the death of teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody on June 7, 2025 in Kisumu. Political violence and demonstrations occur regularly across the country, most commonly in western Kenya and Nairobi. Rock-throwing by protesters and deadly force by police, including live ammunition, are common. Traffic disruptions, road blockades, and closures of key intersections often result from protests. Access to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport can be affected during demonstrations.

Areas To Avoid

The Kenya-Somalia border region poses the highest risk. Do not travel to Mandera, Garissa, and Wajir counties due to terrorism and kidnapping. Lamu County experiences frequent al-Shabaab attacks and kidnapping incidents. Travel to Lamu Island and Manda Island only by air through Lamu airport, never by road. Tana River County (except Tsavo National Park) is dangerous due to terrorism and kidnapping risks. Coastal areas of Kilifi County north of Malindi, extending 50 km inland, face terrorism and kidnapping threats. Parts of Marsabit and Turkana counties within 50 km (30 miles) of the Ethiopian border are unsafe due to cross-border incursions. West Pokot and western Turkana County experience banditry and armed attacks by pastoralist militias. Isiolo, Samburu, Laikipia, and Baringo counties face ongoing ethnic militia violence, cattle rustling, and territorial conflicts. In Nairobi, avoid the neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera due to high crime rates and kidnapping. Kasarani and Mathare informal settlements have elevated crime levels with limited police capacity. Downtown Nairobi, including the River Road area, Globe Cinema, Kamukunji, and the National Archives, are high-crime zones. The old airport road (Airport South Road) and Jogoo Road have higher carjacking rates; use Mombasa Road or the Nairobi Expressway instead when traveling to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. In Mombasa, exercise caution as crime rates are significant, though lower than Nairobi. Avoid using the Likoni Ferry due to poor maintenance, safety problems, overcrowding, and stampede risks. In Kisumu, areas including Manyatta, Nyalenda, Bandani, and Obunga are known for higher crime. Specific routes between game parks and reserves are dangerous due to armed bandits. Mount Elgon area in Trans-Nzoia and Bungoma counties experiences tribal conflicts.