UK Issues Update On Terror Alert To Citizens Travelling To Kenya
Initially, the US Embassy in Nairobi reminded American citizens in Kenya to exercise increased caution due to the risks of terrorism and kidnapping.
Marvin Chege 
The United Kingdom (UK) has released an updated advisory regarding a previous security alert issued to citizens travelling to Kenya over possible terrorist attacks.
The UK government in a notice on Monday, November 4 released via its website revealed that it had revised a warning that was issued on September 13, 2024 on the same based on information on the US's alert about increased caution in Kenya.
"Removal of information about a US alert on increased caution in Kenya and about disruptions due to ongoing strike action ('Warnings and insurance' page)," the notice read in part.
Initially, the US 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 heightened in proximity to anniversaries of prior terrorist attacks that include the Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi on September 21, 2013, and the October 7, 2023, the Hamas attack on Israel.
This advisory had signalled a shift in the security landscape in East Africa, with terrorist groups becoming increasingly unpredictable. The US Embassy warned that terrorists had the potential to exploit the symbolism of these anniversaries to carry out attacks, citing a pattern seen in previous years.
In the latest alert, the UK's 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.
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," added the notice. 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 have been advised to research the destinations they are travelling to so that they are appraised of current events in the country of their destination.
"If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency," added the UK government.
