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Duke Places Travel Restrictions for Students to Leading Kenyan Cities

After several recent bombings in Kenya's major cities, Duke's International Travel Oversight Committee (ITOC) has voted to restrict travel to the cities of Mombasa and Nairobi, effective May 31. 

"Kenya is a country of significant importance to Duke.  We have several active research and education partnerships in the country," said Randy Kramer of the Duke Global Health Institute.

Nairobi is now approved for transit only.  A 'for transit only' restriction means that undergraduate student travelers are allowed to transit through the city as they head into and out of the country.  However, Nairobi cannot be an undergraduate student's destination unless the student successfully petitions for a waiver of Duke's restriction in advance of their travel.  Instructions on how to petition are found online here.

Duke undergraduate students who are known to be in Nairobi and Mombasa will be apprised of these new restrictions, and Duke will assist them in any necessary travel changes.

Graduate students with plans to travel to either city are now required to register in Duke's International Travel Registry and to sign a High Risk Travel Waiver/Release form acknowledging they have been advised not travel to these cities given the threats to their safety and security.  The form is found online via a link on the International Travel Policy website.

"At any given time we have at least two dozen expats and their families living in Kenya and well over two dozen undergraduate and graduate students there," said Michels, Duke's travel registry and policy administrator.  "We have been watching the safety and security situation in Kenya for months and in light of the most recent attacks, ITOC felt it was best to restrict these two cities.  A restriction enables us to review and approve the planned activity of an undergraduate who'll spend time in one or the other of these cities.  Knowing what they're doing, where they'll be staying, what organizations they'll be working with, allows us to make a judgment call on whether or not we feel they'll be safe."

Faculty and staff members are strongly encouraged to register their travel plans to these cities on the International Travel Policy website and to stay abreast of governmental and news reports as to areas or activities they should avoid while in these cities.  All travelers are strongly encouraged to sign up for travel alerts via International SOS' Duke portal.

"We hope that situation on the ground in Kenya improves and we can lift these restrictions in the coming months." said Eric Mlyn, chair of ITOC.  Duke's ITOC will continue to monitor the situation in Kenya.

For more information, contact Christy Michels at christy.parrish@duke.edu.