Kenya briefing - Somali Pirates

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What is the current “official” advice?

From the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office:
We advise against all but essential travel to coastal areas within 150km of the Somali border, following two attacks by armed gangs in small boats against beach resorts in the Lamu area on 11 September and 1 October 2011.

From the State Department:
Within Lamu District, a 60-kilometer wide band starting northeast of Pate Island to the Somalia border. Towns and resorts within/contiguous to the Kiunga Marine Reserve are now included in the restricted area.

Last updated 01 December, 2011

Does this advice apply to the whole of Kenya?

No. The area affected is the northern section of Kenya coast within 150km of the Somali border.

Does this affect travel to other Indian Ocean islands or elsewhere on the East African coast?

No. These advisories apply to a specific stretch of northern Kenya. Land based tourism in the Seychelles, Zanzibar and other Indian Ocean islands is unaffected by piracy.

Likewise other African coastal areas, including southern Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa remain unaffected.

Can I alter my travel plans if I’m booked to travel to Kenya?

As is the case when we run into travel advisory problems elsewhere in Africa from time to time...

• We will amend any bookings in affected areas (i.e. within the coastal boundaries specified by the FCO and State Department advisories) and substitute similar coastal options at no charge.
• Any bookings for travel to areas not affected by a travel advisory can be changed at any time but are subject to our standard terms and conditions in which case charges may be applied.

Is the problem simply Kenyan?

No, piracy from Somalia threatens the stability of the entire East Africa region.  It's starting to create a sense of urgency within the UN and African Union framework. It has wider international implications with 39% of world trade passing through the Indian Ocean.

Piracy off the coast of Somalia has been a threat to international shipping for several years now. Several international organisations, including the International Maritime Organization and the World Food Programme are directly affected by the rise in acts of piracy, which have impeded the delivery of shipments and increased shipping expenses. Piracy costs an estimated £10 billion a year in global trade.

What is the world doing about the Somali pirates?

Approximately 35 ships from numerous international navies and at least two alliances, the EU and NATO, are currently operating in an area off the Somali coast.

In the absence of a functioning government in Somalia land based action against the pirates would require a UN resolution which is unlikely.

The full solution will be found through sustained effort by both African nations and the international community. Somali piracy is likely to be around for decades.

In the meantime, stay out of their reach.