Hey,
I just completed in March, a 9 month mission in Iraq, which included loads of field work in Kirkuk. From my experience,the people are so lovely and friendly but you need to excercise great caution and safety in Kirkuk. While U cadrive during the day, at night it's not recommended. There aren't many places ,if any at all to go out for dinner, entertainment as compared to say Erbil. There were many checkpoints as well. The nearby Hawija district is very unsafe
Cheers