If you are researching to travel to Kenya, you probably immediately wonder: is Kenya safe? We traveled around this beautiful country by public transport for 3.5 weeks and did not feel unsafe. Still, it is wise to take some precautions. Below we share our tips that we always pay attention to while traveling, which will help you ensure safety in Kenya and have ultimate enjoyment during your trip.
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Crime in Kenya
As you delve into the safety in Kenya, you are curious about the crime rate. Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, is also known as Nairobbery. This is not a very positive nickname of course… This is partly due to unemployment, the government system and the lack of opportunities.
Still, crime in Kenya toward tourists is not alarming. Of course, you should always pay attention and use your common sense, but especially during the day, nothing crazy is likely to happen. Always be alert for pickpockets, do not go alone to a slum, do not walk the streets after dark and use your common sense.
General safety in Kenya
In recent years, it has become clear that crime in Kenya is mainly focused on the government, with protests and demonstrations becoming incredibly dangerous due to the government’s crackdown. As a tourist, always stay far away from such protests.
We heard many stories during the tour with former street children in Nairobi about the protests, what it was like and how the government is cracking down on this and it is really terrible. So other than that, Kenya is a relatively safe country for tourists to travel to, as long as you use common sense. We always use the tips below ourselves and this makes us feel a lot safer.
Tips for safety in Kenya
What we actually recommend to every traveler, but especially in Kenya is the following:
- When it is dusk or dark do not walk outside by yourself. Then always take a cab via Uber. Uber is the most widely used cab app in Kenya and it is available in most major cities (Nairobi, Lake Naivasha and near the coast).
- Keep your belongings close to you and don’t lose sight of them.
- Don’t walk around with expensive jewelry, preferring to leave it at home.
- Put your phone in your jacket pocket, zippered, or in your purse. Do not put it in your pants pocket or butt pocket where it can be easily stolen.
- When you go to checkout, keep your wallet close to you and make sure no one can see into the wallet.
- Also, don’t take too much cash and credit cards with you. Keep some in another wallet, in your hotel room, secured with a lock and/or in the safe.
- If you don’t know where to go: pretend you do. Don’t go peering at your phone on Google Maps in the middle of the street and look around helplessly. Walk briskly in one direction and when you see a store you can walk in there and calmly look on your phone to see where to go.
- Make sure you purchase a local SIM card with Internet right at the airport. That way you can always look on Google Maps and you can also order a cab from anywhere via Uber.
Is Nairobi safe?
Nairobi is the most unsafe city in Kenya for tourists. In our experience, it means that you actually feel very safe in all other places, and have to be a lot more careful in Nairobi. It is an incredibly densely populated city and really people walk everywhere. Stick to the tips above, trust your gut and never walk the streets at night. Also, really let your uber ride through to your hotel, or into the gate. If you stick to these tips you will be fine with safety in Nairobi.
Safety for women in Kenya
I myself (Noëlle) did not feel unsafe as a woman in Kenya. However, I should note that I was always together with Leon everywhere, and very rarely alone. If you are a solo woman traveling in Kenya, or 2 women traveling together in Kenya, you may have different experiences with safety for women in Kenya than I did.
From stories from other women travelers, I have not heard any disturbing reports about safety for traveling women in Kenya. I did personally feel comfortable wearing long pants or skirts and a high-necked shirt on public transportation. You don’t have to cover up, but this is where I felt more comfortable.
Safety for LGBTQ+ travelers in Kenya
Kenya is an incredibly conservative country. It is very unusual (read: it never happens), for example, to walk hand in hand here as 2 men or 2 women being. Überhaupt it is unusual to show (much) affection in public. Hugging, kissing or holding hands as a straight couple can be done in public, but not too much. As an LGBTQ+ couple, as far as we can judge, this is unfortunately better not done in public.
So, how safe is Kenya?
In conclusion, Kenya is a safe country for travelers. Stick to the tips above, especially in the busy city of Nairobi. Then the chances are incredibly small that something unpleasant can happen. Backpacking in Kenya and traveling around this amazing country is a great experience and you are going to have a wonderful adventure.
