I always check the U.S. Department of State’s travel warnings to determine if it’s safe to go to Kenya.  Their summary of events is appreciated and helpful, and I generally heed their advice, such as don’t go out at night, don’t hang out in bars, be leery of strangers, hold onto your purse, don’t wear jewelry, etc.  This is good advice for anyone anywhere in the world.

 Although some of their advice is scary, darn scary at times, I’ve always decided that if I were smart, I would be safe.  So up to this point, I’ve had the good fortune to enjoy Kenya without a major incident.

 However, recent upsetting and tragic events have altered my feeling of safety in Kenya.

 In 2013, al-Shabaab attacked Westgate Shopping Mall.  This was/is the upscale mall where Charles, Mariam, their three children and I visited in the past.  It was a pleasant day of being with good friends, shopping and then having lunch at one of the mall restaurants.  It never crossed my mind that this could be the site of a violent terrorist attack.

 In January of 2014, there was a grenade and improvised explosive device attack on a restaurant in the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.  I have experienced mixed emotions at this airport.  I’m excited when I arrive and sad when I leave.  However, I never felt fear.  Those days I’m afraid are over.

 Then on April 2, 2015, 148 students at Garissa University College were killed.  Students struggling for an education were brutally killed.  This is insane and heartbreaking.

 Garissa is adjacent to Kitui, where most of my work occurs.  This is too close.  Regardless how much I want to go to Kenya, there’s no way I can convince myself that I wouldn’t be a target.  For these most unfortunate reasons, I decided not to travel to Kenya this year.  It’s a real bummer, but I feel I’ve made the right decision.

 I’m still in touch with my friends in Kenya and have been helping with tuition and school fees, with personal financial situations, and donating to a kindergarten class.   But I want to return!  I really miss not seeing my friends.  But as long as I’m concerned about my safety, and theirs, I have to wait until the circumstances improve.