Crisis24 Provides Emergency Assistance During Civil Unrest in Kenya

Kenya has long been viewed as a haven of stability in East Africa, and many international organizations maintain a footprint in the country. Since 1996, the capital city, Nairobi, has been the United Nations’ (UN) official headquarters in Africa. In mid-June 2024, however, widespread civil unrest erupted, which posed a potential threat to many Crisis24 clients, including three university student groups.

Primarily organized by youth activists, the protests were in reaction to the contentious Finance Bill 2024, which was set to impose heavy taxes on essential goods in an attempt to address Kenya's mounting debt crisis. The situation escalated on June 25, 2024, when protesters stormed the Parliament building in Nairobi. Demonstrations and riots spread throughout the country, resulting in multiple fatalities and dozens of injuries following clashes with the police and the military.

Delivering Actionable Risk Intelligence

Crisis24 intelligence analysts quickly identified the rapidly worsening situation in Kenya and provided clients with timely updates and warnings about potential threats to their personnel and operations. By continuously monitoring the escalating unrest, Crisis24 analysts were able to adjust the incident severity level as events unfolded. These timely risk intelligence alerts empowered clients to make informed decisions regarding the safety of their staff and the continuity of their operations in the region.

Crisis Consulting and Incident Response Team Activation

The volatile environment in Kenya posed significant safety threats, further complicated by communication challenges due to Internet disruptions, as well as mobility restrictions in and out of Nairobi. At the onset of the violence, the Crisis24 Global Operations Center (GOC) managed numerous client inquiries seeking advice and assistance. Many organizations faced difficult decisions about whether to halt operations, withdraw personnel, shelter in place, or evacuate the country. The Crisis24 Global Security Operations team provided tailored risk assessments and recommendations based on individual risk profiles, both immediately and on an ongoing basis.

Relocation Assistance and Evacuation Support

Three Crisis24 clients (US universities) had students and faculty in an immediate threat situation, and a joint decision was made to evacuate. Through careful coordination with trusted partners in the area, the Crisis24 response operations team ultimately evacuated a total of 10 individuals in Nairobi and Kisumu, a city approximately 500 kilometers from the capital.

From the moment the first calls came into the Global Operations Center, Crisis24 made the safety and security of every client's personnel a top priority—from employees living and working in Kenya to the visiting university student groups. Through tailored risk assessments, swift action, and clear, continuous communication, Crisis24 supported numerous client organizations, either directly or through insurance partnerships.

Although Kenya has grappled with civil unrest and terror attacks in the past, the country remains a regional anchor of stability in East Africa. Therefore, many Western organizations with a footprint in Kenya were operating under a false sense of security when the widespread civil unrest erupted in June 2024. Fortunately, Crisis24 continues to receive inquiries about preventative measures, with clients eager to strengthen their preparedness for future threats and better manage travel risk.