The two superpowers released their advisories on Friday, September 13, with the UK basing its information on the US’s alert about increased caution in Kenya.
Both the United States (UK) and the United Kingdom (UK) have urged their citizens to exercise caution while travelling to Kenya over possible terrorist attacks, highlighting the need for vigilance in the East African nation.
The two superpowers released their advisories on Friday, September 13, with the UK basing its information on the US’s alert about increased caution in Kenya.
For the UK, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the ministry of foreign affairs and a ministerial department of the Government of the UK, listed six areas UK citizens are advised against all but essential travel.
British High Commission in Nairobi. /FACEBOOK
Kenya-Somalia border and northern parts of the east coast
“Due to the risk of terrorism from groups based in Somalia, FCDO advises against all but essential travel to,” the advisory read in part. The areas include:
- within 60km of Kenya’s border with Somalia
- Eastern Garissa County, up to 20km north-west of the A3 road, including the Boni National Reserve
- Mandera County, excluding Mandera West sub-county
- Lamu County, excluding Lamu Island and Manda Island
- Tana River County north of the Tana River, up to 20km north-west of the A3 road
- within 15km of the east coast between the Tana River and the Galana (Athi-Galana-Sabaki) River
UK citizens were also advised to check with their airlines for flight information on the back of disruptions witnessed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) due to the since called-off airport workers’ strike affecting flights and access to and from the airport.
In the case for the US, its Embassy in Nairobi reminded American citizens in Kenya to exercise increased caution due to the risks of terrorism and kidnapping.
“Locations frequented by U.S. citizens and other foreigners and tourists in Nairobi and elsewhere in Kenya continue to be targets to terrorists.
“Terrorist groups could attack with little or no warning, targeting hotels, embassies, restaurants, malls and markets, schools, police stations, places of worship, and other places frequented by foreigners and tourists,” read its advisory in part.
Even as the world marked the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks, concerns are heightened in proximity to anniversaries of prior terrorist attacks that include Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi on September 21, 2013, and the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel
This new advisory signals a shift in the security landscape in East Africa, with terrorist groups becoming increasingly unpredictable.
The US Embassy warned that terrorists might exploit the symbolism of these anniversaries to carry out attacks, citing a pattern seen in previous years.
