The U.S. Department of State has told Americans not to travel to certain parts of Kenya for multiple security reasons, including terrorism, kidnapping and banditry.
Newsweek has contacted the U.S. Embassy in Kenya, via email, for comment.
The Context
The U.S. government has regularly issued travel advisories for Kenya over the years, namely over terrorism concerns, crime and civil unrest, conflicts in surrounding areas and general access to medical care.
Parts of the country that share borders with Somalia and Ethiopia make them vulnerable to cross-border attacks, while other spots have recently been plagued by terrorism, kidnapping and banditry.
It comes as human rights abuses are mounting in Kenya, with its government accused of arresting and detaining critics, according to The Associated Press.
On Saturday, Amnesty International asked Kenya and the Dutch king and queen, who are currently visiting the East African country, “to place human rights at the heart of the visit, address human rights violations and commit to accountability for all victims following the recent brutal crackdown on human rights.”
What To Know
Americans have been told not to travel to counties on the Kenya-Somalia border—Garissa, Wajir, Mandera and Tana River—and well as coastal areas north of Malindi because of terrorism and kidnapping.
They have also been advised to avoid West Pokot and western Turkana County due to banditry, along with parts of Marsabit and Turkana counties within 30 miles of the Ethiopian border because of cross-border incursions.
These places are under a Level 4 “do not travel” warning.
Meanwhile, Americans have been told to reconsider travel, with a Level 2 warning, to the neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera in the capital of Nairobi because of crime and kidnapping.
The advisory, issued on Monday, warns of motorcycle crimes, especially in “crowded areas or when people are distracted.”
“Police have limited ability to respond to these crimes,” it says. “Handbags, mobile phones, and other easy-to-reach valuables are the most stolen items.”
The advisory also stressed a risk indicator for health, saying: “Access to medical care in Kenya is limited and medical facilities may not have adequate supply of medicine, especially outside large cities. Medical evacuation insurance valid for travel to Kenya is strongly recommended. Hospitals usually require payment before treatment.”
The entire country of Kenya is under a Level 2 advisory to “exercise increased caution.”
What People Are Saying
The U.S. Department of State said in its country summary: “Violent crime, such as armed carjacking, mugging, home invasion, and kidnapping, can occur at any time. Local police often lack the capability to respond effectively to serious crimes and terrorist attacks. Emergency medical and fire services are limited. Avoid traveling after dark in Kenya due to crime and poor traffic safety.”
Meanwhile, South Africa-based travel company Go2Africa says: “Although there is a long-standing travel advisory from the U.S. State Department, it relates to very specific and strictly non-tourist areas—mostly in the distant east of the country. It is not a blanket ban and the majority of Kenya is safe to visit.”
What Happens Next
There is no fixed schedule for when the U.S. Department of State updates its travel advice for Kenya, but it will continue to assess the situation there.
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