The United States State Department has advised U.S. citizens to stay the heck out of Kenya, increasing the travel threat advisory to level three and four in some areas of Kenya.
JM: Thinking about ignoring this advisory? Think again. The warnings from the State Department include:
-Reconsider travel to Kenya due to risk of health, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest, and traffic safety.
-Do Not Travel to the Nairobi neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera due to risk of crime and kidnapping.
-Do Not Travel to the counties of Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Lamu, Tana River (except Tsavo National Park), Kilifi (north of highway C103), and coastal areas north of Malindi, due to risk of kidnapping and terrorism.
-Do Not Travel to West Pokot County and western Turkana County due to risk of crime.
-Do Not Travel to Marsabit and Turkana Counties within 30 miles (50 kilometers) of the border with Ethiopia due to risk of unrest.
-The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Travel Health Notice for Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease for Kenya.
-Medical services in Kenya are limited. They are often unavailable in rural areas. Medical facilities in Kenya often lack sufficient medicine and equipment. Except for a few private medical facilities based in the large urban centers with enhanced capability, many health issues may require medical evacuation at your own expense. Medical facilities will usually deny service if payment is not made upfront.
-Some schools, substance abuse centers, and other facilities claim to rehabilitate people, but operate with little or no government supervision. Physical and emotional abuse is common in these places. Residents, including Americans, have been held in these facilities against their will.
-Violent crime can occur at any time. Violent crimes include armed carjacking, mugging, home invasion, sexual assault, and kidnapping for ransom. Petty crime is common. Criminal fraud targeting Americans is a concern.
-Terrorists, criminal gangs, and other armed groups kidnap for ransom. Local law enforcement officials are not equipped or trained to handle the threat of kidnapping.
-There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity.
-Terrorists plot kidnappings, bombings, grenade attacks, armed assaults, suicide attacks, and other action in Kenya. Terrorists attack without warning. They have targeted: places of worship, Kenyan and foreign government buildings, tourist locations, transportation hubs, hotels and resorts, and markets and shopping malls.
-Violence during protests has occurred across Kenya. This includes rock-throwing by protesters and use of deadly force by police. Violent protests are most common in Nairobi and in western Kenya.
-If you plan to travel to Kenya, have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Prepare a will. Designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries or draft a power of attorney. Establish a proof of life protocol with your loved ones. If you are taken hostage, your loved ones will know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to confirm that you are being held captive and alive. Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your family to access them for identification purposes.
There’s more, but that about covers it. I think I will pass on my dream trip to Kenya.
JM: Police said that they knew the woman was watching porn because they looked at her phone and saw that she started watching it two minutes before the crash. She killed a man in the car that she rammed into while she was distracted. Just when you think you’ve heard it all.
JM: It looks like we need another alternate Super Bowl halftime show.
JM: I am glad they are catching all of this fraud, but I suspect they still have a long way to go.
JM: Stephen Hubbard is a retired teacher who was teaching abroad when he was arrested after being accused of fighting for Ukraine in the war. I guess we will find out if he was really helping Ukraine or was innocent. Regardless, it is good news that he is home.