Medical care in the country cannot be compared to Europe and is often highly problematic in terms of technology, equipment and/or hygiene. In many cases there is also a lack of specialists with European training. Medical care in Nairobi is good. The city is the seat of a regional doctor of the Foreign Office and also has some German-speaking doctors. In addition, English-speaking specialists from all disciplines are available. The East African Flying Doctors (a flying medical service) offer a special membership for tourists which guarantees access to the service (including air transport) in the event of illness or accident while on safari. Medical care in Nairobi and Mombasa does not meet European standards. Taking out travel health insurance with return travel insurance is strongly recommended. Check directoryaah for more information.
Notes vaccinations
[1] A vaccination certificate against yellow fever is required for all travelers arriving from an infected area designated by the WHO within six days of their stay and who are over one year old. Excluded are travelers who have not left the transit area in the infected areas and have stayed there for less than 12 hours. A refresher after ten years is no longer required. Yellow fever vaccination is strongly recommended for all travelers to Kenya, especially those visiting rural areas, as Kenya itself is an infected area. [2] A certificate of vaccination against cholera is not an entry requirement, but there is a risk of infection. Since the effectiveness of the vaccination is disputed, It is advisable to seek medical advice in good time before starting the journey. Across the country and especially in the districts of Homa Bay, Isiolo, Kisumu, Koibatek, Migori, Rachuonyo, Siaya and Suba, there is an increased risk of contracting cholera, which primarily affects the local population. The risk of infection from tourists is considered very low. Vaccination is usually not required. Careful food and drinking water hygiene is always recommended. [3] Malaria protection is required year-round throughout the country. Malaria risk is high throughout the country below 2,500 m, in the rainforest areas, including coastal tourist resorts, and during the rainy season from March to June and from October to December. In the capital Nairobi as well as in the highlands (over 2500 m) of the Rift Valley, Central, Eastern, Western Province and Nyanza generally have low risk. Chloroquine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine resistance of the predominant more dangerous form Plasmodium falciparium (malaria tropica), which occurs at 99%, have been reported. Prevention with medication is recommended for the travel regions below 2,500 m altitude including the cities. [4] The greatest risk of infection is intestinal infection. The hygiene rules applicable to all tropical countries (e.g. caution when consuming food and tap water) should be carefully observed. Water should generally either be boiled or otherwise sterilized before it is used for drinking, brushing teeth and making ice cubes, or it should be bought packaged. When purchasing bottled water, care should be taken that the original packaging has not been opened. Unpasteurized milk should be boiled. Only mix dry and canned milk with sterile water. Dairy products made from unboiled milk should not be consumed. Meat and fish dishes should only be well cooked and served hot. Eating raw salads and mayonnaise should be avoided. Vegetables should be boiled and fruits should be peeled. Warnings are given against consuming food from cheap street restaurants and markets. After eating large amounts of corn, numerous residents in the central province became ill and some died. The poison aflatoxin, which is not destroyed by heating, comes from mold that forms on grain under unfavorable conditions. In the region where several national parks are located, should be temporarily dispensed with corn dishes. Consistent insect protection should also be ensured in order to avoid infectious diseases and diarrhoea. [5] Vaccination against poliomyelitis is recommended, and for long-term stays against typhoid.
Other risks
The standard vaccinations for children and adults recommended by the Robert Koch Institute (including against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), mumps, measles, rubella, pneumococci, poliomyelitis and influenza) should be refreshed before the trip if necessary. Schistosomiasis pathogens can be found in some ponds and rivers (Lake Victoria!) nationwide, so swimming and wading in inland waters should be avoided. Well maintained swimming pools with chlorinated water are safe. Across the country, there is a risk of transmission of borreliosis/Lyme disease from ticks, especially in grass, shrubs and undergrowth. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents. Chikungunya fever occurs in Kenya. An effective insect repellent is recommended. Dengue fever, transmitted by mosquitoes, is particularly prevalent in coastal areas. An effective insect repellent is recommended. Filariasis caused by insects also occurs nationwide. Travelers reduce the risk of transmission if they use an effective insect repellent. Typhus occurs nationwide. The fever is caused by clothes lice. To protect yourself, you should practice regular body and clothing hygiene. Vaccination should only be considered in rare cases. Hepatitis A and hepatitis B occur nationwide. A hepatitis A vaccination is generally recommended. Vaccination against hepatitis B should be given during longer stays and close contact with the local population, as well as for children and young people in general. HIV/AIDS is widespread and a great danger for everyone who takes the risk of infection: Unprotected sexual contacts, unclean syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can pose a significant health risk. Leishmaniasis, transmitted by the butterfly mosquito, and Kala Azar, also transmitted by mosquitoes, are found in the semi-arid areas of the north and east. Protection is offered by skin-covering clothes and insect repellents. Localized outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis (so-called “epidemic meningitis”) have been reported in the past from north-west Rift Valley Province, centered in West Pokot District just off the Ugandan border. Like Uganda, Kenya belongs to the endemic meningitis belt, in which a higher incidence of disease must be expected, especially during extreme drought. Vaccination protection is recommended for risk travelers. In the West, especially in the Lambabwe Valley, there is a risk of infection with sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis). Careful insect repellent measures are recommended. Rabies occurs nationwide. Carriers include dogs, cats, forest animals and bats. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, occupational risk groups and for longer stays. In the event of a bite, seek medical attention as soon as possible. There is a risk of tick bite fever throughout the country and all year round. Protective measures are skin-covering clothing and insect repellent.
Money
Currency
1 Kenyan shilling = 100 cents. Currency code: KSh, KES (ISO code). Banknotes are in denominations of 500, 200, 100 and 50 KSh; Coins in denominations of 20, 10, 5 and 1 KSh. There is also a 40 shilling coin, but this is rare. Attention: The banknotes in the value of 1,000 Kenyan shillings were withdrawn from circulation on October 1, 2019. They lost their value on that date and cannot be exchanged at banks.
Credit cards
American Express, Mastercard, Diners Club and Visa are widely accepted in hotels, travel agencies, safari tour operators and restaurants. You can withdraw cash with a credit card (especially with Visa) at numerous ATMs, which can increasingly be found at petrol stations in cities. Details from the issuer of the relevant credit card.
ATMs
Bank cards With the credit card and pin number, money can be withdrawn from ATMs. The Girocard (formerly ec card) with the Cirrus, Plus or Maestro symbol is accepted worldwide. It can be used at ATMs with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol in Kenya. To be on the safe side, travelers should always have an alternative source of money such as cash. ATMs can be found in all major cities, and increasingly also at petrol stations. The daily limit for withdrawals is currently 40,000 KSh. The bank customer card is not suitable for cashless payment in shops. Further information from banks and credit institutes. Attention: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money,
Travelers cheques
Traveller’s checks are not generally accepted in Kenya.
Bank opening hours
Mon-Fri 09.00-15.00. Some banks are also open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Many branches now have ATMs that are accessible 24 hours a day. National and international banks have branches in most major cities.
Foreign exchange regulations
The import and export of local currency is permitted up to an amount equivalent to US$10,000. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited.
Currency Exchange
Possible in all major banks, in money exchange offices and in authorized hotels. Beware of black marketeers. Money can be exchanged 24 hours a day at the airport banks at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi) and Moi International Airport. Currency exchange must be confirmed each time on the foreign exchange form; Currency offenses are severely punished. It is currently best to avoid exchanging money at Nairobi International Airport (NBO) as criminal gangs often monitor and stalk travelers in the airport if they appear to be carrying valuables and cash.
