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U.S Warns Citizens of Dangers of Travelling to Kenya
- By Williams Ekanem
- Published January 3rd, 2011
- Washington File
- Unrated
U.S Warns Citizens of Dangers of Travelling to Kenya
The United States Department of State has warned its citizens of the risks of travel to Kenya. In the statement which emanated from the Department of State last week, it stated that U.S. citizens in Kenya and those considering travel to Kenya should evaluate their personal security situation in light of continuing threats from terrorism and the high rate of violent crime.
This latest travel warning is said to replace that of July 24, 2009 and note current areas of concern to include portions of Lamu district and provide additional cautions to U.S. citizens regarding potentially threatening circumstances.
The U.S. government hinted that it continues to receive information regarding potential terrorist threats aimed at U.S., Western, and Kenyan interests in Kenya.
Terrorist acts could include suicide operations, bombings, kidnappings, attacks on civil aviation as evidenced by the 2002 attacks on an Israeli airliner, and attacks on maritime vessels in or near Kenyan ports.
It reminded the public that many of those responsible for the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in 1998 and on a hotel in Mombasa in 2002 remain at large and continue to operate in the region
In July 2009, three NGO workers were kidnapped and taken into Somalia by suspected members of a terrorist group that operates out of Somalia. In November 2008, armed groups based in Somalia crossed into Kenya near the town of El Wak and kidnapped two Westerners. The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi has designated a portion of Kenya bordering Somalia and Ethiopia as “restricted without prior authorization” for purposes of travel by U.S. Government employees, contractors, grantees, and their dependents.
It also stated that travelers should be aware that U.S. Embassy security personnel recently expanded the restricted area to include portions of Lamu district. This designation is based on reports of Somali-based armed groups known to have crossed into Kenya to stage attacks or to commit crimes. This restriction does not apply to travelers not associated with the U.S. government, but should be taken into account when planning travel.
The United States Department of State has warned its citizens of the risks of travel to Kenya. In the statement which emanated from the Department of State last week, it stated that U.S. citizens in Kenya and those considering travel to Kenya should evaluate their personal security situation in light of continuing threats from terrorism and the high rate of violent crime.
This latest travel warning is said to replace that of July 24, 2009 and note current areas of concern to include portions of Lamu district and provide additional cautions to U.S. citizens regarding potentially threatening circumstances.
The U.S. government hinted that it continues to receive information regarding potential terrorist threats aimed at U.S., Western, and Kenyan interests in Kenya.
Terrorist acts could include suicide operations, bombings, kidnappings, attacks on civil aviation as evidenced by the 2002 attacks on an Israeli airliner, and attacks on maritime vessels in or near Kenyan ports.
It reminded the public that many of those responsible for the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in 1998 and on a hotel in Mombasa in 2002 remain at large and continue to operate in the region
In July 2009, three NGO workers were kidnapped and taken into Somalia by suspected members of a terrorist group that operates out of Somalia. In November 2008, armed groups based in Somalia crossed into Kenya near the town of El Wak and kidnapped two Westerners. The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi has designated a portion of Kenya bordering Somalia and Ethiopia as “restricted without prior authorization” for purposes of travel by U.S. Government employees, contractors, grantees, and their dependents.
It also stated that travelers should be aware that U.S. Embassy security personnel recently expanded the restricted area to include portions of Lamu district. This designation is based on reports of Somali-based armed groups known to have crossed into Kenya to stage attacks or to commit crimes. This restriction does not apply to travelers not associated with the U.S. government, but should be taken into account when planning travel.
