April 3, 2008
What's really going on in Kenya? Is it now safe for tourists?
If you've been following the news, you'll no doubt be aware of the recent political unrest and violence in Kenya. But what's it like really? And is it now safe to visit Kenya?
I've got relatives who live in Nanyuki just North East of Nairobi. My parents have been visiting there (and are still there in fact) so have been able to give their thoughts and impressions on the recent turmoil - and whether Kenya was in fact, as violent and dangerous for tourists as it's been made out to be in the press.
Here's what they said:
"It's been interesting to hear about the troubles here first hand. The first person we spoke to (a barman) said that in Nairobi it was very localised to the slum areas and that he saw nothing of it.In fact, he watched the same feeds on the news as the rest of the world to find out what was going on. Obviously it was bad in places, mainly in the Rift Valley and in the North West, but again very localised. It seems there was nothing in Mombasa.
However the effect on tourism has been devastating.
A lot of hotels in Mombasa have closed down and thousands of hotel workers have been laid off. When you realise that about ten people rely on the income of one worker, a lot of people are struggling.
Everyone is very frustrated with the international news organisations for their very biased and negative reporting. Instead of pointing out that places on the coast were unaffected and safe (no tourists or foreigners were involved or hurt at all in the whole thing), they concentrated on all the negative things and when there was nothing new to say, they just regurgitated the old stuff."
Africa is often portrayed as a violent and dangerous continent; one that you'd have to be mad or incredibly brave to visit.
We've just spent the best part of three months here in South Africa - also often widely reported as having violent crime problems.
We've had no problems whatsoever and whilst the trappings of a crime-ridden country are evident (bars on windows, electric fences, armed response alarms), it's interesting to read in the local papers that South Africans view the teen crime problems in the UK as being just as big a problem as the crime here.
Fortunately, the internet has levelled the playing field and with bloggers and roving 'amateur' reporters on the loose, perhaps we'll get a more balanced view of global situations than ever before.
Comments (5)
I have a feeling that peoople know what areas of Kenya are safe and which aren't. I have heard that information reported on the news.
However, I don't think most people can be sure whether or not the violence and danger could escalate to more areas or the country. How many people would plan a trip in advance if they didn't know whether or not the safe areas they were going to visit would become unsafe by the time they arrived in Kenya?
Posted by Scott | April 3, 2008 1:09 PM
Posted on April 3, 2008 13:09
I have just returned from SA and saw plenty of evidence of the dangers that exist..
FACT:there are 105 murders in South Africa on average every 24 hours ....
FACT:There is an average of 5 children under the age of 6 raped and murdered every day in SA....
FACT: There are over over 9 thousand rapes EVERY DAY...
FACT: The Economist rates SA as the second most violent place in the world....
Its such a pity as it is a beautiful countryside....but no way would I take my children or loved ones on a holiday there...
P Bruen,
CEO
Investex
London
Posted by P Bruen | April 3, 2008 7:43 PM
Posted on April 3, 2008 19:43
I was in East Africa, mostly Tanzania and Kenya for quite a few months in 2006-2007.
I remember hearing on the news a month or two after I returned to the Unites States about the events that were taking place in Kenya.
It didn’t seem real to me. It may sound strange, but I wanted to go back immediately. Partly because I have friends there and partly because as an aspiring travel writer, I wanted to write about what was taking place.
SM
Posted by Shanel | April 4, 2008 8:29 AM
Posted on April 4, 2008 08:29
@Scott - I'm not sure I agree with you that most people would know what areas of Kenya are safe and which ones aren't. I wouldn't have done if I hadn't had family there who told me that the coast is still safe to visit as are many places - but that's not the impression given in mainstream media.
@P Bruen - I am sure if you look at the crime stats for many major cities they won't look too rosy either. I grew up Nottingham in the UK - supposedly *the* gun capital of Europe...never saw anything in my 20+ years of living there.
Did you have any personal experience of violence in SA? We've been here for 3 months now and whilst there is evidence of the crime problems, we personally have so far seen nothing and know plenty of families who've quite safely holidayed here and love it.
Posted by Lea | April 8, 2008 10:44 AM
Posted on April 8, 2008 10:44
Lea,
I really haven't done any investigation of the issues in Kenya outside of what I have seen from the mainstream media. However, I got the impression that the rioting was not widespread, but localized. I didn't get the impression from the media that once you crossed over from Tanzania that all hell would break loose.
But my point still remains that even if someone did know that Mombasa, for example, was safe they would probably not go for fear that the violence would spread to that area.
Posted by Scott | April 8, 2008 2:37 PM
Posted on April 8, 2008 14:37