Kenya
Ethnic divisions account for many of Kenya's problems. Ethnic and tribal clashes have left thousands dead and tens of thousands homeless over the years. After independence from Britain in 1963, Jomo Kenyatta dominated politics. He was succeeded in 1978 by Daniel arap Moi, who remained in power for 24 years. Violent agitation and international pressure led to the restoration of multi-party politics in the early 1990s. In 2002, opposition candidate Mwai Kibaki ended nearly 40 years of the Kanu party's rule. Moi was constitutionally barred from running, and President Kibaki won a landslide victory. His main pledge was to tackle corruption, yet some donors estimate that up to US$1 billion has been lost to graft between 2002 and 2005. Kibaki's government also faces the ongoing challenges of high unemployment, crime and poverty. In addition, the threat of terrorism -- especially given significant attacks in Kenya in the past decade -- has hit the tourism industry hard.
While there are currently no known direct threats against visitors or expatriates in Kenya, however, political meetings, demonstrations, strikes and sectarian clashes occur frequently and with little notice. These are often spontaneous, unpredictable, and sometimes violent. In November 2002, there was a car bomb attack on a hotel near Mombasa, Kenya, in which 15 people were killed, and an unsuccessful attempt to shoot down an Israeli charter plane departing Mombasa on the same day. Evidence continues to mount that the al-Qaida terror organization was behind the attacks. Experts said that missiles used in the attack had serial numbers similar to one involved in a previous al-Qaida attempt to hit on a military plane. In 1998, terrorists bombed the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, killing 213 people and injuring many more. Most of the casualties were Kenyans. The US has provided millions of dollars in humanitarian aid for the Kenyan victims but denies any liability for compensation. Nevertheless, survivors of the bombing have
continued their demands for compensation from the U.S. in 2002. Various Western governments have reiterated cautionary statements regarding travel in Kenya (and in East Africa), due to the ongoing threat of terrorism.
Civil unrest is a common outlet for public frustration over politics and crime, among other issues. The issue of a new constitution had sparked bitter debate for years when Parliament approved a draft in July 2005, paving the way for a popular referendum. But changes to the draft document, which critics said left too much power in the hands of the president, sparked unrest.
Student protests, usually over on-campus administrative issues, are common in Nairobi. Fairly frequently, students violently disrupt nearby traffic during such protests, hurling stones at cars, assaulting passersby and robbing motorists.
Mombasa has a Muslim majority. Since Kenya and the United States reached an access agreement in the late 1970s, the United States has used Kenyan air and sea bases, including Mombasa, on several occasions. In addition, East African and U.S. troops periodically hold joint exercises in Mombasa. In addition to some local anti-US sentiment, there is some disenfranchisement of the local Muslim population, due to real and perceived discrimination in government policies. Muslims accuse the government of attempting to prevent the community from advancing by stifling Muslims’ chances of traveling abroad for higher education or employment opportunities. Al-Qaeda operatives have exploited these conditions in the area in recent years to plan attacks and gain support for their cause.
Sectarian and ethnic violence remain a concern in the southwest area of the country. Kenya has not been immune from regional instability. The country shares a common northern border with Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia and is burdened by a large number of refugees fleeing civil conflict. The authorities have repeatedly requested help from the United Nations to repatriate the country's refugee population.
In May 2006, a ban on smoking in Kenya's public places came into force, to reduce the number of tobacco-related deaths. Anyone smoking in offices, bus stations, airports and sports venue faces a hefty fine or six months in prison. It is not yet clear whether bars and restaurants are covered by the new law. While the ban is not likely to be strictly enforced, avoid drawing the attention of police officers by smoking.
