hi all!
i should have interest to travel from nairobi to south horr, loyangalani (lake turkana), mt. kulal, north horr, marsabit and moyale to leave to ethiopia:
is there anywhere in this reagion to expect crime, i.e. banditry, robbery, shifta?
many thanks for your answers!
rainer.
The northern tribes have no real historical grievances against Europeans or Christians (the Somali border areas being one exception). Violence, when it happens, is in the form of intertribal score-settling. The fighting is over land, cattle, access to water pans, etc, and they have little to gain from involving tourists. Massed attacks against the Kenya Police also happen from time to time. But again, the targets tend to be carefully chosen.
Unfortunately the outbreaks are impossible to predict, so I won't bother trying here. When you are on the road, try to stay aware of the situation on the next section of your trip. One good practice is to collect the phone numbers of all the hotels/lodges where you plan to stay, and call the owners before you drive into their area. They are well placed to advise you.
The best sign of a problem ahead is when truck drivers refuse to go. I have had my trips delayed on a few rare occasions by bush violence of some kind (nothing like World War Three mind you), and you have to be ready for that too. You may be stuck somewhere for a day or two waiting for the situation to clear. Have plenty of petrol, drinking water and basic food provisions. Also take extra scratch cards for your phone as the shops up there can run out. And of course, car chargers for all your electronics!