apc.au blog

In the previous article I discussed the processes required to get me to Kakuma via the UNHCR and other required routes. In the next few articles I’ll provide a blow by blow description of getting there and anything of interest along the way.

Schedules

The schedule published in that first article is one of many that have been prepared along the way, and as of today, clearly not the last. Thanks to our travel agent, Cloud 9 Travel, I’ve been able to make these issue revised schedules and have flights re-booked with relative ease.

It’s been tricky to coordinate schedules for both Kenya and Thailand given the constraints of net access, work space issues and the excessive telephony tariffs throughout Africa, with South Africa perhaps the highest.

In addition, I’m now to ensure that I can coordinate UN charted flights from Nairobi to coincide with security escorts to and from Kakuma. But before I get this far, I’m still trying to get Kenyan Government approval to enter the camp and I can’t get this if I can’t coordinate communications with our proposed guide there, Peter Mabouch.

If Peter and I are unable to communicate frequently with each other would I still go to Kakuma? It would be a shame to have come this far and not go. In short, I’ll go, but with far more caution.

I’m also arranging to leave some of my luggage, including my guitar, at the APC office in Johannesburg. This means getting there and back from Nairobi, organising transports to and from the airport and accommodation in between.

Note: Have since made contact with Peter via colleagues in Melbourne, but unable to reach the Kenyan Government official we need to communicate with prior to fixing our schedule with the UN (charted flights, security escort, etc.).