Safari-Free Zone?

Game reserves all over Kenya that are famous for providing accommodations and safaris to tourists are indeed suffering as documented in the article "Lonely tourists enjoy extra space at Kenyan game reserves."

In this article, it states that locations in Kenya are taking cancellations through to the end of this year. That is big news- a year is a long time. Also, for those tourists that maintain their itineraries, costs may rise. With roads blocked, the article reports supplies are being flown in. Costs will rise for these tourist operators. Will they decide to close down with rising costs even if only few tourists want to brave the chaos to reach their paradise?

If you have a safari or Kenya holiday planned for this year, are you planning to continue or not? Why? What would force to you cancel? What would entice you to continue on your trip? If you have not yet planned your trip, will you continue to plan or has your plans for planning been put on hold?

Updated news: January 16, 2008 - Kenya's Coastal Resorts Become Ghost Towns

Blogging is Where it's at!

In some circles in U.S., blogging has become synonymous with fluff or unimportant happenings.

But, on the other hand, in a country like Kenya, I find the blogging produced is truly noteworthy.

As the election happened, the crisis escalated and the media was shut down for some time, bloggers took to the net to share news with the rest of the world. What in the world was going on in Kenya? Don't look to the news outlets, look toward the bloggers. Sure BBC, Sky, Al Jazeera and some other foreign news outlets had the lion's share of the news market, but local voices were not heard. In that way, bloggers were able to tell their story from the ground.

Sure, some can argue to have a blog up and going, you need to have some stability in your life and basic amenities like food, water, housing, and clothing. Then, on top of that for the bloggers, the minimum of a computer, Internet connection and electricity are further requirements. Of course, not all these are basic necessities, but none the less are definitely required to blog- unless of course it is done through mobile phones. Even at the height of the crisis in Kenya (just after Christmas), mobile phone connections were flaky due to lack of connectivity and other factors.

I am impressed by the quality of information I find through these blogs, some located on the left bar of this blog. When you find time, do browse those links. If you know of other top-notch Kenya blogs, put them in the comments below. Thank you.

When to Cancel Trips to Kenya?

Last week many British and European tour operators announced cancelling tours to Kenya and encouraged those in Kenya to come back as soon as possible.

As yet, I have not heard such an announcement from U.S. tour operators.

Though I have been privy to few discussions regarding the possibility of cancelling study abroad tours to Kenya for this spring 2008 semester, I have yet to hear of formal cancellations.

The situation in Kenya is bad. Bad is putting it lightly. In addition to regional [African countries] refugees in Kenya, Kenyans themselves are now refugees in their own country. Those who are not refugees may not be returning to their normal routines soon as expected. Many schools, colleges and universities have postponed the first day back to class after Christmas holidays. Dates to restart some institutions have been posted, but they may not be set in stone, as one article eloquently stated, "The university management said the security situation would not make it safe for students to travel from their homes to their campuses." (source) In one blog I follow, a housekeeper of an expat refused donations of items out of fear of being looted. People in slums have few possessions, and coming into a slum with bulging bags makes someone a moving target for looters.

When I studied in India, I was in slums two to four days a week. This was in a country that was stable and safe. Like any big city anywhere in the world in slums and 'bad neighborhoods,' one's personal safety is always at risk. Taking advice of my advisers and professors, I was never in harm's way. Now, some are questioning whether to send their children to Kenya for study abroad to work in the slums with the poverty and HIV/AIDS stricken. If the election and it's aftermath had not occurred, then going to Kenya would be quite safe for these activities (as I know they have been going on for years now without reports of harm to aid workers). But, now I am not so sure this can be said.

Of course, guaranteeing a tourist or a student would not be harmed is impossible. However, after carefully assessing current information and predictions from pundits in the area, it is safe to say that going to Kenya now and at least for the next few months would not be a good idea.


Related articles:
Travel Q&A: Take extra precautions in Kenya, UW expert says
Study-Abroad Officials Keep Close Watch on Kenyan Violence
Kenya: Varsities Postpone Opening Dates
Amid Violence, Kenyan Universities Postpone Opening
British Tour Operators Cancel Kenya Holidays
Our ex-askari paid us a visit from Kibera today
Travel Warnings- U.S. Embassy Nairobi

Chaos Continues in Kenya

by: Jennifer Kumar

The news reports overwhelm me. People forced from their homes, or padlocking themselves inside. Leaving the house is not an option for some as leaving means their home would be looted and burned. Though that seems to happen to some even if they are staying home.

Though I don't know the particulars, the streets have been quiet and many shops closed, or open for few hours. Many shops have been looted, and so supplies are short. People are running out or have ran out of food, as one man said in the video report below, that he has not eaten for three days. I further would guess that dead roads coupled with a lack of supplies can only increase tensions. (In fact as I write this, the situation has got worse as reported in the Thinker's room, where it is stated, "Goods are being held at the port at the request of buyers for fear that they will be looted/destroyed en route." source)

This violence is not confined to Nairobi, though most reports I have read or seen originate from Nairobi. For instance, a British family living as expats in Kimusu, [Western] Kenya report they were forced to flee the home with their three week old baby, leaving everything- clothes, food, and identification papers, behind. (video)

I found a few good blogs to follow, one of which, the RSS feed is in the left column- Kenyan Pundit. The other site is Thinker's Room - there is first hand and second hand reports of what is going on enhanced with many photos. I give the author of this blog a lot of credit for taking those photos. Click here for the blog.