U.S. State Department raises travel advisory for Kenya to Level 3
U.S. State Department raises travel advisory for Kenya to Level 3
U.S. State Department raises travel advisory for Kenya to Level 3, urging Americans to reconsider travel due to risks of terrorism, kidnapping, crime, & unrest.
The United States has raised its travel advisory for Kenya from Level 2 to Level 3, urging American citizens to reconsider travel to the country amid rising cases of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease.
In an advisory issued on October 19, the US Department of State cited health risks, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest and traffic safety concerns.
“The Department of State increased its Travel Advisory for Kenya from Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) to Level 3 (Reconsider Travel),” the department stated.
The advisory urges American travellers to “reconsider” travel to Kenya, citing increased risks in some areas.
The update comes as Kenya responds to an Ebola outbreak that had resulted in eight confirmed cases as of October 19, according to reports citing health officials.
The cases include health workers who treated the country’s first patient and a relative of the deceased patient.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has also affected the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
The US advisory specifically flags a health notice issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease in Kenya.
“The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Travel Health Notice for Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease for Kenya,” the advisory stated.
The CDC has also issued a separate travel health notice for Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
On May 17, the World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Beyond the health concerns, the US travel advisory warns of violent crime, including armed carjacking, mugging, home invasion, sexual assault and kidnapping for ransom.
“Violent crime can occur at any time,” the department warned, adding that petty crime was also common in the country.
The advisory cautions that terrorists may target government buildings, tourist destinations, transportation hubs, hotels, markets, shopping malls and places of worship.
It also warns that demonstrations, strikes and political or economic protests can turn violent, resulting in blocked roads, traffic disruptions and attacks on vehicles.
The US has separately designated several areas in Kenya as Level 4, advising its citizens not to travel to those locations.
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They include Nairobi’s Eastleigh and Kibera neighbourhoods, as well as Garissa, Wajir, Mandera and Lamu counties.
The warning also covers Tana River County, except Tsavo National Park, parts of Kilifi County north of highway C103 and coastal areas north of Malindi.
West Pokot County and western Turkana County are listed over crime risks, while parts of Marsabit and Turkana counties within 50 kilometres of the Ethiopian border are flagged over unrest.
The department also warned that medical services in Kenya are limited, particularly in rural areas, and that some patients may require medical evacuation at their own expense.
Americans travelling to Kenya have been advised to monitor local media, avoid demonstrations, remain alert in crowded areas and ensure their travel insurance covers medical evacuation.
The advisory also recommends that travellers enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive security updates and help the US government contact them or their emergency contacts during an emergency.
The latest update replaces the previous advisory issued on July 28, 2026, when Kenya was classified at Level 2.
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