The Kenya Guide

Kenya Issues Travel Advisory Over Nanyuki Protest Plans

· 2 min read News
The Laikipia plains near Nanyuki with giraffes grazing below Mount Kenya's foothills

The United States Embassy in Nairobi issued a travel advisory on 24 June 2026 warning American citizens of planned protest action in Laikipia County, centred on Nanyuki, over a proposed Ebola quarantine facility. The US Embassy has urged caution, noting that demonstrations in the county could spread to other urban areas, including Nairobi, and that protest events can turn unpredictable.

What travellers need to know:

  • Protests are currently planned and ongoing on a rolling basis in Kenya; disruptions have been more acute in the May–June period.
  • Road blockages are the most common impact, particularly around Nanyuki and on routes through central Kenya.
  • There are no confirmed cases of Ebola in Kenya. The protests relate to community concerns about a proposed facility, not an active outbreak.
  • Travellers arriving from Uganda, Ethiopia or the Democratic Republic of Congo may face enhanced health screening at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.

The safari picture remains strong: June sits at Kenya’s peak for wildlife viewing. The dry season has thinned vegetation, concentrating animals around permanent water sources, and cooler temperatures make game drives comfortable. The Maasai Mara is entering its best period ahead of the Great Migration, which typically peaks in July and August. Conservancy roads carry far fewer vehicles than during peak season, rewarding those who book Masai Mara game drives now with extended sightings.

The Maasai Mara, Nairobi and the Kenyan coast are not subject to specific disruption warnings at this time and remain open for tourism.

Entry requirements: Kenya requires all international visitors to hold an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) approved before boarding. Applications are made online at etakenya.go.ke, cost USD 34, and take up to three business days to process. Citizens of all African Union member states (except Libya and Somalia) are exempt. Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the travel date.

We recommend monitoring your home government’s travel advisory and the US Embassy Kenya website for updates ahead of any travel to Kenya in July.