Off the beaten track in Kenya... advice needed

[buttonmoon78]

We're travelling to Kenya at Easter. DH travels regularly but this is the first time we will be taking dcs (14, 11, 4 & 9m). The trip will involve staying with locals on shambas etc rather than staying in tourist enclaves and my mum (neurotic) and sister (dr) are doing their best to put me off.

I'm happy that I can manage the risks down to an acceptable level esp for ds2 (9m) but I'd really appreciate any advice anyone might have.

Boiling water cooled to drink and fully cooked foods and it should be fine, as long as your happy.

I would say it depends entirely on where you are going to be staying, tbh.

risks will vary according to location - both health/hygiene risks and safety/security risks.

My only knowledge is for travel health, so make sure you're all vaccinated and have your antimalarials as well as good nets, travel health kit, suncare products, suitable clothing, insect repellents etc.

Thank you for replies!

Vaccines are sorted - I have a v good practice nurse who sought specialist advice and has drawn up a tailored list of jabs for each child (dh and I are both up to date with everything).

Malarials - everybody can take lariam inc baby. Am particularly hot on malaria as dh has it.

Security - we always follow local advice over and above FO advice as locals are hyper cautious with us.

Will be following fully cooked foods etc rules for us and taking a suitcase full of ella's kitchen (or similar) pouches for ds.

Hygiene wise I'm happiest about ds2 actually! He can be confined to sling/buggy quite easily so I think will be easiest to keep clean. I worry more about ds1 (4) as he's going to be into everything!

Isn't the FCO advising against all travel to low income areas/townships of Nairobi? Might be nice to do what locals do but it is a turbulent area at the moment so I personally would book alternative accommodation.

Yes, and I won't be staying in any areas of Nairobi except in a hotel. There are plenty of areas though where the FCO say it is perfectly safe but where sporadic problems arise and it is on those occasions that we would take local advice. As I said - locals are often more cautious rather than less when entrusted with our safety.

And we certainly won't be heading in the direction of the Somali border!

My husband is Kenyan and he says it depends where you are going and if you want to tell him where you'll be going, he might be able to tell you more/give you advice.

Or if he doesn't know the area, he said he could ask his mum or any of his 7 brothers and sisters & their families, or his many many mates who still live there what the situation is actually like, according to them, who are there.