The United States Embassy in Kenya has issued a travel advisory, warning its citizens planning to visit the country to exercise caution due to what it described as "increased security risks".
The advisory, dated March 18, cited various concerns, including crime, terrorism, and civil unrest, across different parts of the country, with some regions posing a greater risk than others.
"Exercise caution in Kenya due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas of the country have a greater risk," part of the advisory read.
The U.S. Embassy specifically highlighted Kenya-Somalia border counties, including Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera, labelling them high-risk regions. Tana River County and coastal areas north of Malindi were also flagged due to the lingering threat of terrorism and kidnapping.
Terrorism was not the only security concern highlighted in the advisory. According to the embassy, West Pokot and western Turkana County also pose a serious security threat to US citizens, as these areas are highly prone to banditry.
Additionally, areas within a 50-kilometre radius of the Ethiopian border were identified as dangerous due to cross-border conflicts.
The move to flag areas close to the Ethiopia border was likely prompted by the harrowing attack in February involving people from the Turkana community and Dasanach fishermen at Lopemukat common waters along the Kenya-Ethiopia border. The attack left at least 20 dead and several others missing.
In Nairobi, the embassy flagged two areas—Eastleigh and Kibera—as extremely high-risk in terms of insecurity.
"Violent crimes, such as armed carjacking, mugging, home invasion, and kidnapping, can occur at any time," the embassy warned, adding that Kenyan security agencies lacked the capability to respond effectively to crimes and terrorist attacks.
The warning about violent crimes in the city came amid an ongoing investigation into the death of Scott Campbell, a British national who went missing in February and was later found murdered in Makueni County.
Additionally, US citizens were advised to remain vigilant for demonstrations and industrial action, with the embassy cautioning that key highways were often blocked by protesters, leading to severe traffic disruptions.
Regarding terrorism, the embassy flagged government buildings, schools, places of worship, malls, and hotels as locations where attacks could occur "with little or no warning".
