The US government has issued a travel advisory for Kenya, advising its citizens to avoid travelling to specific areas in Nairobi due to increased security threats.
In a statement issued on Friday, the US Embassy warned Americans against visiting locations frequented by US citizens and other foreigners in Nairobi and other parts of Kenya.
The embassy warned that Nairobi remains an attractive target to terrorists planning to conduct imminent attacks.
It further advised its citizens to stay alert in locations frequented by tourists/foreigners, review their security plans and be aware of their surroundings.
"Locations frequented by U.S. citizens and other foreigners and tourists in Nairobi and elsewhere in Kenya continue to be attractive targets to terrorists planning to conduct potentially imminent attacks.
"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," the statement read.
They were also asked to monitor local media for updates, avoid protest areas and demonstrations, avoid crowds and keep a low profile.
Officials at the US embassy also provided contact information, including phone numbers, for its citizens to seek assistance if they encounter security threats.
The alert comes amid the clashes between Israel and Palestine militant group Hamas, claiming thousands of lives and destruction of property.
Israel claimed that Hamas launched serial attacks on its natives and foreigners who were partying at a music festival, prompting its military to react.
The conflict spread to parts of the world, with protests erupting in the United Kingdom, United States and France as different groups expressed solidarity with either Israel or Palestine.
Kenya was among the first African countries to condemn the war, with President William Ruto terming the violence meted on Israel as an act of terrorism.
"Kenya joins the rest of the world in solidarity with the State of Israel and unequivocally condemns terrorism and attacks on innocent civilians in the country," Ruto stated on October 9, 2023.
However, his position contradicted other African countries, such as Algeria and Tunisia, which showed support for Palestine instead.
