Kenya
Last update 29 January 2025Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 3: Avoid non-essiential travel (Do not 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 in Kenya on a short or long-term basis may address consular matters to the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Addis Ababa, the Federal democratic republic of Ethiopia.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Addis Ababa, the Federal democratic republic of Ethiopia
Address: Bole KK, Kebele 04/06/07, Addis Ababa, the Federal democratic republic of Ethiopia
Telephone/Fax: +25116610032
Working hours: 08:00 – 18:00
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/ethiopia
The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Ankara is accredited to Bulgaria.
Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Ankara, the Republic of Turkey
Address: İlkbahar, Yildiz, Ilkbahar Mah. Galip Erdem Cad, 613. Sk. No.11, 06550 Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey
Telephone: +90 312 491 4508
Fax: +90 312 491 4516
E-mail: [email protected] and [email protected]
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Kenya in the Republic of Bulgaria
Mr. Ivaylo Dermenndzhiev
Office: 1000 Sofia, 3 Positano St., floor 2
Telephone: +359 2 988 26 52
Fax: +359 2 980 32 47
E-mail: [email protected]
General information
Security level:
Currently, the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises Bulgarian citizens to be particularly cautious in Kenya due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest and kidnappings. In some areas, the risk is elevated. On 16 October 2011, the Kenyan army crossed the border into Somalia in pursuit of southern Somali Al-Shabaab militia units. Periodically fighting resumes. In this regard, it is recommended not to travel to the areas along the Kenya-Somalia border: Mandera, El-Wak, Wajir, Liboi and Dadaab. Coastal areas, particularly near the Somali border, are particularly dangerous to visit. There have been cases of Western tourists being kidnapped. The risk of terrorist attacks is high, especially in the Mombasa area. Overall, security risks are high for all parts of the country. In big cities there is a high level of crime.
At the end of June 2024, demonstrations began in Nairobi and other cities in Kenya in connection with the lowering of the living standards of the population as a result of the planned increase in the tax burden. Clashes with security forces led to dozens of casualties. New demonstrations are not excluded.
Healthcare:
The level of medical care in hospitals does not meet European standards. The number of HIV-positive people is very high.
Travellers are advised to get vaccinated against malaria.
Recommended vaccines and personal hygiene advice:
Important Message: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns Bulgarian citizens intending to travel to Kenya or residing in the country of an increased risk of cholera disease in the capital Nairobi. On this occasion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends Bulgarian citizens to refrain from travelling to Nairobi and other potentially dangerous areas (Kajiado West, Embakasi East, Dagoretti, etc.) until the disease subsides and the situation stabilizes. In the case of urgent travel, particular vigilance with regard to personal hygiene, fruit and vegetable consumption and drinking water consumption is recommended. Before consumption, vegetables and fruit must be washed thoroughly with clean water and then dried. Only factory bottled water should be used for drinking. Food prepared from unregulated sources should not be used. Regular hand washing, especially before meals, also reduces the risk of contracting cholera. At the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease (vomiting, intense stomach and intestinal problems), seek medical help immediately!
An international yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for passengers arriving from countries at risk of yellow fever transmission and for passengers who have transited through the airport of a country at risk of yellow fever transmission.
For up-to-date information on mandatory and/or recommended vaccines you may contact the Regional Health Inspectorates in the country. Yellow fever vaccine is administered at the following regional health inspectorates: Sofia Regional Health Inspectorate; Varna RHI; Burgas RHI; Pleven RHI; Plovdiv RHI; Blagoevgrad RHI and Ruse RHI.
Specifics of the local legislation:
In Kenya, manifestations of homosexuality are prohibited. Violations in this respect are punishable by long years in prison under local law.
Customs requirements:
There are no restrictions on the import of foreign or local currency. Amounts over USD 5 thousand must be declared upon entry.Export of local and foreign currency is allowed.
It is forbidden to export diamonds and gold out of the country.
It is forbidden to import weapons, fresh meat and plants.
Declare the valuables you are bringing with you.
Road traffic:
In Kenya, the movement is in the left lane.
The state of public transport is unsatisfactory. Foreigners are not recommended to travel by public buses. The trains are poorly maintained. It is recommended to use licensed taxis to hotels and airports. The poor condition of the roads does not allow high speeds.
International driving licence is required.
Do not drink alcohol when driving.
Practical advice:
Particular attention to the security of visiting foreigners is recommended in large crowds, large shopping centres, restaurants and bars.
In the event of an attack, it is recommended not to resist.
Particular caution is required when exchanging currency or using credit cards.
Avoid walking in the dark.
Doors and windows of parked vehicles should be properly closed.
Local emergency telephone: 999
Travelling of children
There are no specific requirements, but it is advisable for children to travel with their own passports.
Local currency:
Kenyan Shilling (KES). Currency exchanges should only take place at strictly designated locations. It is advisable to carry dollars, cheque books or credit cards.
Travel papers and visas
Bulgarian citizens should make sure that their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after entering the country, even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure that there are at least 2 blank pages in their passport for each entry stamp and or visa that will be needed. Visa is required. A visa can be obtained electronically via a link on the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
As of 1 January 2014, the East African Tourist Visa shall enter into force. Tourists who visit one of the countries — the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Uganda — with a valid visa can visit the other two without applying for additional visas or paying additional visa fees.
You must enter the country with a regular international passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the country.
When entering the country from European countries, no document for mandatory vaccines is required. However, vaccines specific to East African countries are recommended.
IMPORTANT!
Bulgarian citizens holding diplomatic, official and regular passports need a visa, which is obtained electronically. The visa is usually obtained within 3 working days. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, no visas for the Republic of Kenya have been issued at the airport on arrival.
Attention!
Your passport must have at least one completely blank page so that the entry visa can be affixed to it. There should be no other visa stamps on the back of this page other than the border control stamps.
Consular service
European Emergency Travel Document:
In extreme situations - in case of damage, loss or theft of a passport, Bulgarian citizens can apply for an Emergency Travel Document at an Embassy of an EU Member State in Nairobi.
Certifications and legalizations:
In order to be valid in Bulgaria and to be able to serve before the Bulgarian institutions, all documents issued by the authorities in Kenya to Bulgarian citizens must bear the stamp of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kenya. Then, they need to be certified by the Embassy of Kenya in Ankara. The signature and certifications of the Embassy of Kenya in Ankara are certified by the Consular Office of the Embassy of Bulgaria in Ankara.
In relation to the translations into Bulgarian of the documents, the requirements of Art. 21a, Para. 1 of the Regulations on Legalizations, Certifications and Translations of Documents and Other Papers should be complied with, according to which for a foreign document translated into Bulgarian according to the order of this regulations on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and intended for use in the Republic of Bulgaria, it is necessary for the signature of the translator who performed the translation to be notarized in the Republic of Bulgaria.