The High Commission in a communiqué on Tuesday, August 6 urged Kenyans living in the UK to be vigilant of their movement and follow local guidance throughout the protests.
The Kenya High Commission in the United Kingdom (UK) has announced that it is closely monitoring ongoing social unrest across major cities in the country. This is as the UK continues to grapple with its most severe riots in over 10 years.
The High Commission in a communiqué on Tuesday, August 6 urged Kenyans living in the UK to be vigilant of their movement and follow local guidance throughout the protests.
“The Kenya High Commission is closely monitoring the series of social unrest developing in a number of cities across the United Kingdom.
“The High Commission wishes to encourage Kenyans living in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland to remain vigilant of their movement and follow guidance provided by the local authorities,” read the statement in part.
President William Ruto hosts King Charles III at State House, Nairobi. /PCS
The High Commission also asked Kenyans in the UK to register with the mission through its website https://www.kenyahighcom.org.uk/citizen-registration for citizen registration and https://www.kenyahighcom.org.uk/student-registration for student registration.
“For emergencies, please contact the High Commission through email [email protected]/[email protected] or tel +4420 7636 2371,” the High Commission added.
Riots have swept Britain over recent days, and more outbreaks of anti-immigrant violence are feared this week, leaving the new UK government scrambling to control the worst disorder in more than a decade.
Police officers were injured in Plymouth on Monday night as angry crowds descended on the coastal city in southwest England.
The latest outbreak of violence came after crowds of far-right agitators set fire to hotels housing asylum seekers over the weekend in two cities, leaving those inside trapped and terrified, while throngs of rioters in other cities damaged public buildings and clashed with police, throwing objects at officers and smashing their vehicles.
The ongoing social unrest in the UK began last Monday after a 17-year-old with a knife attacked a children’s dance class in the seaside town of Southport, near Liverpool. Three children were killed and eight injured in the attack.
Before the suspect’s identity was confirmed, false claims circulated online that he was a Muslim asylum seeker in the UK. The rumours led to thousands of UK residents taking to the streets, some shouting anti-immigration and Islamophobic slogans.
Meanwhile, with fears of conflict brewing across other parts of the world, the State Department of Diaspora Affairs earlier on Tuesday asked Kenyans living in Lebanon to leave the country amid growing fears of conflict.
In a statement, the department urged the citizens to register with the department and provided contact details to facilitate their evacuation.
The Ministry has set up multiple channels for Kenyans to register for evacuation. Citizens in Lebanon are urged to register urgently through the provided link here or contact the Ministry via the following phone numbers: +96590906719, +96171175006, or +254114757002.
Additionally, Kenyans with family members in Lebanon can call the same numbers for safety coordination or visit the Ministry’s offices located at the Old Mutual Building, Ground floor, Upper Hill Road.
