Kenya
Last update 07 April 2023Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 3: Increased level of risk (recommendation not to travel in certain areas of the country unless necessary)
3
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Republic of Kenya
The Republic of Bulgaria does not have a functioning embassy in Nairobi. Bulgarian citizens residing short-term or long-term in the country may address the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for consular matters.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Addis Ababa
Address: Bole KK, Kebele 04/06/07, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel./fax: +25116610032
Office hours: 08.00 am - 06.00 pm
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/ethiopia
The Embassy in Berlin is accredited for Bulgaria.
Embassy of the Republic of Kenya to the Federal Republic of Germany
Address: Markgrafen Strasse 63,10969 Berlin
Telephone: +49 30 259266 0; +49 30 259266 11
Fax: +49 30 259266 50
Emergency number after office hours: +49 170 5653817
Office hours: Mon - Fri, 09.00 - 13.00 and 14.00 - 17.00 h
Consular Section
Office hours: Mon - Fri, 09.00 - 13.00
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.embassy-of-kenya.de
Honorary Consul of Kenya in Bulgaria
Ivaylo DERMENDJIEV
1000 Sofia, 3, rue Positano, ét.2
Tél.: +359 2 988 26 52
Fax: +359 2 980 32 47
E-mail: [email protected]
General information
general information
Local currency
Kenyan shilling (KES)
Currency exchange should be done only at places strictly indicated for the purpose. You are recommended to have dollars or cheques with you and a credit card.
Crime and security
On 16.10.2011 the Kenyan Army crossed the border with Somalia chasing troops of the Southern Somali militia “Al-shaab”.
The battles are periodically renewed. Therefore, it is better to avoid the regions located along the Kenyan-Somali border: Mandera, El-Wak, Wajir, Liboi and Dadaab.
Especially dangerous are visits to the coastal area, in particular from Lamu to the Somali border. There are cases of kidnapped Western tourists.
The risk of terrorist attacks is high.
As a whole the security risk is high in all parts of the country. In the cities the crime level is also high.
Attacks from Somali pirates are not rare in the vicinity of the Seychelles and Madagascar, as well as in the waters surrounding Kenya and Tanzania.
Legislation specifics
In Kenya public expressions of homosexuality are forbidden. Violations of this rule are punished with long years in prison in accordance with the local legislation.
Customs requirements
There are no restrictions of import of foreign or local currency. Amounts above 5 thousand US dollars must be declared at the moment of entry in the country.
The export of local and foreign currency is allowed.
Export of diamonds and gold from the country is forbidden.
Import of weapons, fresh meat and plants is forbidden.
Import of valuables must be declared.
Road traffic
Traffic in Kenya is on the left.
The public transport is in an unsatisfactory condition. Foreigners are not recommended to use the city buses. Trains are in bad shape. You are recommended to use the licensed taxis operating at hotels and airports. The bad condition of the road surface does not allow high speed driving.
International driving license is required.
No alcohol should be consumed when driving.
Healthcare
The medical service at the hospitals does not correspond to the European standards. The number of HIV-positive people is very high.
People traveling to the country are recommended to immunise against malaria.
Travel papers and visas
As of 1 January 2014 the East African tourist visa shall enter into force. Tourists visiting one of the three countries - the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Uganda, with a valid visa can visit also the other two, without submitting additional visa applications or paying additional fees for the visa.
You can enter the country with an international passport valid for a minimum of 6 (six) months from the date of entry.
When you enter the country from a European state, no document for the mandatory vaccines will be required. However, the typical vaccines of East Africa are recommended.
Up-to-date information about the necessary vaccines for Kenya can be obtained from the National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases at: +359 2 944 69 99 / 221.
Practical advice
Foreigners visiting the country are recommended to be exceptionally careful for their security at places where many people gather, large trade centres, restaurants and bars.
In the case of attack do not put up resistance.
You must be very careful with currency exchange or use of credit cards.
Avoid walking in the dark.
The doors and windows of parked vehicles must be well closed.
Travel of children
There are no special requirements but it is recommended that children travel with their own passports.
Competitive service
Emergency Travel Document:
In extraordinary situations, such damaged, lost or stolen passport the Bulgarian citizens can apply for a temporary passport for an Emergency Travel Document at the embassy of any EU member state in Nairobi.
Certification and legalisation:
In order to be valid in Bulgaria and recognised by the Bulgarian institution any documents issued by the authorities in Kenya must bear the stamp of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After that they should be certified by the embassy of Kenya in Berlin. The signature and certification of the Kenyan Embassy in Berlin should be certified at the consular service of the Embassy of Bulgaria in Berlin.
The documents should then be translated into Bulgarian by an authorised translation agency in Bulgaria and certified by the Certifications and legalisations department of the Ministry of foreign affairs.