Canada Cautions Its Citizens Against Travelling To 4 Kenyan Counties

The government of Canada has issued a terror alert for its citizens intending to travel to four counties in Kenya.

In a statement published on the government's website on Thursday, August 10, Canadians were advised against travelling to the counties of Mandera, Wajir and Garissa at the Kenya-Somalia border as well as Lamu County.

"There is an increased risk of kidnapping in the northeastern Kenyan counties of Mandera, Wajir and Garissa bordering Somalia and the coastal areas of Lamu County. Groups based in Somalia and northeastern Kenya have targeted humanitarian workers, tourists and residents in the past and deaths have occurred," the government explained in part.

The advisory was informed by intel gathered regarding likely terrorist activities in the country as well as the likelihood of kidnappings targeting foreigners visiting Kenya.

Canada military soldiers during a past training exercise. /CBC NEWS

Canada further stated that credible information pointed out the possibility of foreigners being targeted by extremists in the Kenyan areas of Nairobi, Naivasha, Nanyuki, Meru, Narok and the coastal areas of Kenya.

Mandera, Wajir and Garissa were listed as counties which posed an increased risk of terrorist attacks. Canada also pointed out that terrorist attacks have occurred in Nairobi, in the coastal region, including in Mombasa and Malindi as well as in the Mandera, Wajir and Garissa counties.

"Foreigners have been targeted in some attacks. Further attacks cannot be ruled out.

"Targets could include government buildings, including schools, places of worship, airports and other transportation hubs and networks, public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners," added the advisory.

The North American nation went on to warn its citizens to be particularly alert during religious holidays, sporting events and public celebrations as terrorists have carried out attacks during these events.

They were also advised to always be aware of their surroundings when in public places and to stay at hotels that have robust security measures, but keeping in mind that even the most secure locations cannot be considered completely free of risk.

"Kenya’s border with Somalia is closed, but it is porous and Somali militias and bandit groups have carried out cross-border attacks against foreigners and humanitarian workers in this region.

"Some incidents involved the use of improvised explosive devices and have resulted in injuries and deaths, including at the Dadaab refugee camp, 80 km from the Somali border. The risk of such attacks in the region remains high," added the advisory.

According to Canada, disputes between Somali clans also make the region unstable and dangerous and there is an increased military and police presence and frequent roadblocks due to the Government of Kenya’s efforts to limit Somali incursions and gun-running in the border area.

Beachfront accommodations in the coastal area were cited as vulnerable to criminal activity, such as armed robbery, break-ins and carjacking.

Criminal activity remains high in several neighbourhoods and areas of Nairobi, with Canada poking holes at the police's limited capacity to respond to crime and other incidents.

The advisory came days after Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki revealed that 60 suspected Al Shabaab militants were killed in an operation on Tuesday, August 1 in Lamu County, the terrorists being part of a group that was seeking to attack four different passenger buses, putting the lives of 200 people at risk.

Interior CS, Kithure Kindiki appearing before the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Education on August 2, 2023. /KITHURE KINDIKI