Kenya
Last update 25 September 2025Travel advice
Risk index
Level 3: Avoid non-essiential travel (Do not travel in certain areas of the country unless necessary)
3
Select passport type
You can apply for a Kenyan visa online at least 2 weeks before your travel via the website https://etakenya.go.ke/.
Republic of Kenya
The Republic of Bulgaria does not have a functioning embassy in Nairobi. Bulgarian citizens residing in Kenya on a short or long-term basis may address consular matters to the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Addis Ababa, the Federal democratic republic of Ethiopia.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Addis Ababa, the Federal democratic republic of Ethiopia
Address: Bole KK, Kebele 04/06/07, Addis Ababa, the Federal democratic republic of Ethiopia
Emergency mobile out-of-hours hotline: +251 91 125 2514
Working hours: 08:00 – 18:00
E-mail: Embassy.AddisAbaba@mfa.bg
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/ethiopia
The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Ankara is accredited to Bulgaria.
Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Ankara, the Republic of Turkey
Address: İlkbahar, Yildiz, Ilkbahar Mah. Galip Erdem Cad, 613. Sk. No.11, 06550 Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey
Telephone: +90 312 491 4508
Fax: +90 312 491 4516
E-mail: kembankara@gmail.com and ankara@gmail.com
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Kenya in the Republic of Bulgaria
Mr. Ivaylo Dermenndzhiev
Office: 1000 Sofia, 3 Positano St., floor 2
Telephone: +359 2 988 26 52
Fax: +359 2 980 32 47
E-mail: consulate@kenya-bulgaria.org
General information
Security level:
Due to the risk of terrorist acts by groups based in Somalia, it is recommended not to travel to the frontier areas (75 km) on the Kenya-Somalia border, including Mandera, Tarbaj, Wajir East, etc.
The risk of kidnapping is considered high in Kenya. Foreign citizens are seen as legitimate targets and have been kidnapped in the past. It is reasonable to expect that foreigners will continue to be kidnapped in the future.
Demonstrations and strikes occur periodically in Kenya. Travelers to the country should monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities. In the event of demonstrations, travelers should leave the area where they are held, as they could escalate into violence.
Citizens should obtain comprehensive travel insurance before traveling to Kenya.
Piracy is a serious threat when sailing in the coastal waters of Somalia, the Gulf of Aden, and the Indian Ocean.
Healthcare:
The level of medical care in hospitals generally does not meet European standards. It is advisable to pay special attention to food hygiene, including when consuming fresh fruit and salads. Water should be consumed boiled or bottled.
For up-to-date information on mandatory and/or recommended vaccines, you may contact the Regional Health Inspectorates in the country .
Specifics of the local legislation:
In Kenya, manifestations of homosexuality are prosecuted as criminal offenses.
Customs requirements:
Import restrictions:
Cigarettes and tobacco: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 227 grams of tobacco
Alcohol: 1 bottle
Perfume: 560 ml
Money: there are no restrictions on the import of local and foreign currency that foreign citizens can import. Foreigners residing in Kenya can import up to 500,000 Kenyan shillings and an unlimited amount of foreign currency. Currency and monetary instruments exceeding US$10,000 or its equivalent must be declared to customs upon arrival and before departure:
https://www.kra.go.ke/helping-tax-payers/faqs/customs-and-border-control
You must declare anything that may be prohibited for import or subject to tax or duty.
For more information:
https://www.kenyagovisas.com/news/kenya-customs-regulations
Road traffic:
In Kenya, the movement is in the left lane.
The state of public transport is unsatisfactory. Foreigners are not recommended to travel by public buses. The trains are poorly maintained. It is recommended to use licensed taxis to hotels and airports. The poor condition of the roads does not allow high speeds.
International driving license is required.
Driving while impaired by alcohol is prohibited.
Practical advice:
Local emergency telephone number: 999
Travelers to Kenya are advised to exercise extreme vigilance and caution, especially in public places frequented by tourists/foreigners, including hotels, bars and restaurants, sporting events, supermarkets and shopping centers, beach resorts, government buildings, international schools, buses, trains, and other transport hubs, including airports. There is an increased risk of terrorist acts during official and religious holidays.
Robberies, car thefts, and kidnappings are common throughout Kenya. Citizens travelling to large cities such as Nairobi or Mombasa should be extremely vigilant.
When visiting bars and restaurants, never leave your drinks unattended and do not accept drinks from strangers, as there is a risk that they may have been spiked with opiates or narcotics.
Local currency:
Kenyan Shilling (KES). Currency exchanges should only take place at strictly designated locations. It is advisable to carry dollars, cheque books or credit cards.
Travel papers and visas
Citizens should ensure that their passport is valid for at least 6 months after their entry into Kenya, even if they do not intend to stay that long. Their passport should have at least 2 blank pages for stamps and visas.
You can apply for a Kenyan visa online at least 2 weeks before your travel via the website https://etakenya.go.ke/.
Consular service
European Emergency Travel Document:
In extreme situations - in case of damage, loss or theft of a passport, Bulgarian citizens can apply for an Emergency Travel Document at an Embassy of an EU Member State in Nairobi.
Certifications and legalizations:
In order to be valid in Bulgaria and to be able to serve before the Bulgarian institutions, all documents issued by the authorities in Kenya to Bulgarian citizens must bear the stamp of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kenya. Then, they need to be certified by the Embassy of Kenya in Ankara. The signature and certifications of the Embassy of Kenya in Ankara are certified by the Consular Office of the Embassy of Bulgaria in Ankara.
In relation to the translations into Bulgarian of the documents, the requirements of Art. 21a, Para. 1 of the Regulations on Legalizations, Certifications and Translations of Documents and Other Papers should be complied with, according to which for a foreign document translated into Bulgarian according to the order of this regulations on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and intended for use in the Republic of Bulgaria, it is necessary for the signature of the translator who performed the translation to be notarized in the Republic of Bulgaria.