US Embassy in Nairobi has cautioned its citizens against travelling to Kisumu ahead of the Supreme Court ruling scheduled for September 5, 2022.
In the advisory issued on Thursday, September 1, the Embassy stated that Kenya has periodically experienced some post-electoral violence during election cycles, they have cautioned their staff members in Lakeside city to be more vigilant.
According to the Embassy, the advisory should not alarm members of the public but they urged their personnel to be extra careful.
"Out of an abundance of caution, the U.S. Embassy has imposed movement restrictions on U.S. government personnel in Kisumu. The State Department reminds U.S. citizens of the continued need for sustained vigilance," the advisory stated.
The Embassy noted that the advisory was informed by a previous pattern of protests that would break out in Kisumu after the election period.
"Election-related demonstrations and rallies regularly take place after elections, at times blocking key intersections and causing traffic jams," the advisory read in part.
"Demonstrations may occasionally be violent, requiring police intervention. Strikes and other protest activities related to economic conditions occur regularly."
The Embassy noted that the advisory was informed by a previous pattern of protests that break out in Kisumu after the election period.
"Election-related demonstrations and rallies regularly take place after elections, at times blocking key intersections and causing traffic jams," the advisory read in part.
"Demonstrations may occasionally be violent, requiring police intervention. Strikes and other protest activities related to economic conditions occur regularly."
Kenyans had criticized the Embassy after an advisory that was issued on Tuesday, August 2, when the US Embassy imposed movement restrictions and further cautioned its citizens to only visit the city if and when necessary.
But the embassy issued a statement where it clarified and assured Kenyans that it did not have any knowledge of planned violent attacks as was highly speculated on various media platforms.
The Embassy maintained that the statement was a routine security alert. The statement also explained that the alert focused on Kisumu county since the city plays host to numerous US Embassy staff and US citizens visit the lakeside city occasionally.
