Kenya

The major oil companies (Shell, BP, Mobil, Kenol/Kobil, Caltex, Agip and Total) formed OSMAG (Oil Spill Mutual Aid Group) in 1996 with the aim of creating a joint capability among all the oil companies using the Mombasa port to respond effectively to oil spills.

Contact may also be made directly to the Marine Operations Manager, KPA Port of Mombasa. T: +254 (11) 311409 or +254 (11) 471590 (after hours). F: +254 (11) 311867.

The Oil Spills Response Administrator, c/o Esso Kenya Limited Mombasa. T: +254 (11) 495762 or +254 (11) 432184 (after hours). F: +254 (11) 494515.

You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. Don’t eat food prepared by unlicensed vendors.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your stay, dial 999 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Point A: 11° 50.00′ N, 045° 00.00′ E.

Point B: 14° 28.00′ N, 053° 00.00′ E.

The corridor includes the creation of separate eastbound and westbound transit lanes. Each lane will be 5.0 n.m. wide and will be separated by a 2 n.m. buffer zone.

Masters using the IRTC and those following the group transits are not relieved of their obligation and should continue to maintain a strict 24-hour lookout using all available means to get early warnings of an approaching threat.

Masters are also reminded that all suspicious/attempted/actual attacks reported to coalition warship should also be reported to the 24-hour IMB piracy reporting centre.

Ships transiting the Gulf of Aden are advised to register with the EU. The EU web page is www.mschoa.org/

Ships/owners are advised to register their details and obtain further information regarding the close support protection/transit corridor details for ships transiting the Gulf of Aden. Ships would be encouraged to conduct their passage through the IRTC in groups based on their transit speed (Gulf of Aden group transits). Military assets (naval and air) will be strategically deployed within the area to best provide protection and support to ships.

Masters are also advised to maintain a listening watch on VHF Channels 16, 8 and 72. Warships make advisory calls, ``Securite'' broadcasts, to announce their location and in turn will also listen for merchant ships calling them.

Vessels are advised to keep more than 600 n.m. from the coastline and when routeing north/south, keeping east of Long. 60° 00′ E until east of the Seychelles.

In view of the recent attacks, all vessels are advised when proceeding to/from South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya and Somalia to consider routeing south of Lat. 10° 00′ S and east of Long. 060° 00′ E, avoiding the area between the Somali coast and north and west of the Seychelles. Mariners are advised to report any suspicious boats to the European Union Maritime Security Centre. A 24-hour visual and radar watch must be maintained as early sightings/detection and accurate assessment will allow Masters to take evasive action and increase speed, and at the same time request assistance and escape.

Due to the unprecedented number of Somali pirate incidents, the IMB calls for all Masters transiting the Gulf of Aden, southern Red Sea, off Oman, east coast of Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Seychelles and Madagascar to report all sightings of suspected pirate mother ships to the PRC. This vital intelligence will then be used to identify and target the mother ships. This will enable appropriate actions to be taken in response.

When an official holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday will be an official holiday.

If you plan to charter a private aircraft, check with the company’s Safety Pilot about the condition of the aircraft and runways to be used. If the company has no Safety Pilot, find another company that does.

There have been a number of serious accidents involving long-distance buses. Vehicles are often poorly maintained and driven at excessive speed. Check the bus operator’s safety standards.

Though very cheap to use, matatus (minibuses) are notorious for being poorly maintained, badly driven and uninsured. There are frequent reports of matatus being hijacked and passengers being robbed.

You should be vigilant at all times and follow any security advice given by your employer or your hosts. If you’re attacked, don’t resist. Avoid walking around after dark, especially in isolated areas like empty beaches. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and don’t wear expensive watches, jewellery or items of sentimental value. You must carry a form of ID with you at all times. A copy of your passport is normally acceptable, but recently some police officers have been insisting on the original document.

Beware of thieves posing as police officers or private Security Guards. Always ask to see identification. Don’t accept food or drink from strangers as it may be drugged. The coastal areas are predominantly Muslim. Although there are no strict dress codes, you should dress conservatively away from the tourist resorts and hotels, especially in Mombasa town, during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.

Smoking in all public places (except designated areas) is prohibited throughout Kenya. This applies to areas like hotel grounds, lounge areas and entrances. Smoking outdoors in any public street or on the beach is not banned, but check first and if in doubt don’t light up. Offenders can be fined up to 3 million Kenya shillings or imprisoned for up to 3 years.

The use and trafficking of illegal Class A drugs in Kenya carries heavy fines and jail sentences. The penalty for possession is 10 years in prison.

Taking photographs of official buildings, including Embassies, can lead to detention. If in any doubt, don’t photograph or film around them. Photography is also prohibited at airports.

You must get permission to carry any kind of firearm before you enter the country.

It is illegal to destroy Kenyan currency.

Homosexual activity is illegal. Public displays of homosexuality like holding hands or kissing in public places could lead to arrest and imprisonment.

You must carry a form of ID with you at all times. A copy of your passport is normally acceptable, but recently some police officers have been insisting on the original document.

It is illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected wild animal or trade any of its parts without a licence. Kenya is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) under which there’s a ban on the international commercial trade in ivory. Those caught purchasing or trafficking banned goods will be prosecuted and receive prison sentences and/or fines.