US Warns Its Citizens Against Travelling To 6 Kenyan Counties
The embassy made reference to the six counties...
admin
The United States (US) Embassy in Nairobi on Thursday, February 16 issued another security alert to its citizens and foreigners in Kenya, advising against travelling to six counties.
In a statement, the embassy made reference to the six counties Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki had declared as disturbed areas.
This is despite a joint operation between the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers and Kenya Police Service officers as ordered by President William Ruto on Monday, February 13, which commenced on Friday, February 17.
"The Government of Kenya has announced the deployment of additional security elements in the six Rift Valley counties to address threats to security, public order, and safety. US government personnel are restricted from travelling through the areas on this public order," the alert read in part.
The six counties red-flagged by the embassy include, and are further broken down into, Turkana (Turkana South, Turkana East and Loima Sub-counties), West Pokot (Pokot North and Sigor Sub-counties), Elgeyo Marakwet County (Marakwet East and Marakwet West Sub-counties).
The other counties are Baringo County (Mukutani, Muchongoi, Bartabwa, Tiaty East and Tiaty West Sub-counties), Laikipia County (Olmoran, Ng’arua, and Mukogodo Divisions) and Samburu County (Loroki and Kirisia Divisions).
“The Kenyan Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government issued Public Order No. 1 of 2023 imposing a 30-day nighttime curfew in these areas. Per the Order, there shall not be public gatherings or travel in these areas from dusk to dawn,” the US Embassy further stated.
The US government personnel were also restricted from travelling through the areas on this public order.
On Thursday, February 9, the US government issued a terror alert to its citizens but noted that the Kenyan government had enhanced its surveillance.
"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 the notice in part.
Hours later, the United Kingdom (UK) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) highlighted various places in the country that are considered high terror risk.
The latest alert came after President Ruto announced a three-day voluntary disarmament exercise starting February 14 which would allow for the surrender of guns with no repercussions.
Kindiki later revealed that in the last six months, over 100 civilians and 16 police officers had been killed in bandit attacks, adding that the murderous gangs have in the recent past escalated their terror on innocent Kenyans and law enforcement agencies and in the process burnt down schools, police vehicles and other social amenities.
The Interior Ministry also reiterated President Ruto's announcement of the three-day voluntary disarmament exercise targeting those who hold illegal firearms and ammunition. Kindiki added that those who failed to surrender the guns within the stipulated time would face the full force of the law.
