Pete Rojwongsuriya, founder of Bucketlistly, was robbed while on vacation in Mombasa

Yesterday, I woke up around 4 a.m. Kenyan time, as I usually do.

My first routine every morning is to say a prayer, thanking God for a new day and asking for protection ahead.

While still in bed after praying, I picked up my phone and started scrolling through my feed.

That’s when I came across a post from Pete Rojwongsuriya, a travel blogger based in Thailand.

He shared how he was embarrassingly robbed in broad daylight while visiting Mombasa.

My first reaction was: Wait, what?!

I’ve heard stories like this before, foreign tourists getting robbed by either local thieves or even the police, but I always assumed they were exaggerated.

But reading Pete’s post made it clear that this stuff actually happens. Tourists can get robbed if they’re not careful.

If you don’t know Pete, here’s a quick intro:

As disturbing as that sounds, it raises a fair question:

How can you avoid ending up in a situation like Pete’s? 🤔

As a local, I can’t promise a 100% foolproof way to stay safe, but there are things you can do to lower your chances of being harassed by local authorities or targeted by opportunists.

In many countries, Brazil, Colombia, and some African nations, corrupt police targeting tourists is a known issue (though I can’t speak from experience on those places yet).

That said, here are a few tips to help avoid problems with local authorities while visiting Kenya (or similar places):

(01). Be careful where you take photos

It’s true that photographing government buildings is illegal.

In Pete’s case, there wasn’t a government office nearby, so his arrest sounds more like a stretch by the police.

Still, it’s smart to hire a local tour guide who can point out safe areas for photography and help you avoid unnecessary attention, just make sure the guide is trustworthy and not a scammer.

(02). Ask your hotel or Airbnb host for help

Once you check in, ask the reception or host to recommend a trusted local guide.

They’ll often know someone who can help you navigate the area safely, interact with locals, and know where it’s okay to take photos.

(03). Stay calm if you’re approached by police

Don’t panic.

Ask clearly what law you’ve supposedly broken.

If it’s clear they’re just fishing for a bribe, you can say you’re only willing to handle things through the courts.

Mentioning court often discourages them.

(04). If it gets serious, draw attention

If a police officer seems determined to extort you, try to get the attention of nearby people.

Crowds can be a deterrent, as most officers don’t want the scene to escalate publicly.

(05). Limit the cash you carry

Avoid having a lot of cash in your pockets.

If officers see large amounts, they might pressure you to hand it all over.

Keep small amounts on hand and the rest in mobile money apps or a bank card.

(06). Stick with groups

Join organized tours or groups whenever you can. Police are less likely to harass large groups of tourists. unless something very unusual is going on.

(07). Never hand over your passport

If an officer asks for your passport, don’t give it to them.

They may hold it and demand money to return it. Some might even take you somewhere isolated in a tuk-tuk or car to pressure you further.

(08). Use your judgment

If you’ve tried everything and they still won’t back off, and you’re being threatened with a trip to the station, it might be safer to give a small amount to avoid spending the whole day in a cell.

I’m a Christian and don’t believe in bribery, but you get what I mean.

(09). If you're single, be careful about escorts

Some solo travelers hire escorts for company and protection, but it comes with risks, you never know someone’s true intentions.

If you find a genuine one, they might stick with you everywhere and help keep police away.

But if you're married or in a relationship, stay faithful. It’s possible.

(10). Keep your embassy's number handy

If you run into real trouble and have the chance to call, your embassy can step in.

If you haven’t done anything wrong, that call can get you out of a situation fast.

Mombasa is a great city, but like anywhere else, there are a few bad apples.

These tips should help you stay safe and enjoy your visit.

Try them out and see how it goes.

 My final thoughts

That’s pretty much it. Pete’s story is unfortunate, but it’s also a wake-up call.

While Mombasa is a beautiful city with friendly people and rich culture, things can go wrong, especially if you’re not prepared.

If you're planning to visit, don’t let this scare you, just stay smart.

Use these tips, stay alert, and you’ll likely enjoy your trip without any drama.

Have you ever had a similar experience while traveling?

Or maybe you have more tips to add?

Let me know in the comments, I'd really like to hear your thoughts.