UK government cautions citizens against visiting some parts of Kenya

By Peter Ochieng

The United Kingdom (UK) government has warned its citizens against visiting some parts of the country.

The travel advisory, issued through its Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FDO), wants its nationals to take into consideration the warning, for their own safety.

The UK government warned its citizens against all but essential travel to areas within 60km of Kenya’s border with Somalia.

Additionally, British nationals were further advised to only visit the Lamu and Manda islands, when travelling to Lamu County, but avoid everywhere else within the Coastal county.

“FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 15km of the coast between the Tana River and the Galana (Athi-Galana-Sabaki) River."

"No travel can be guaranteed safe. If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency," reads the advisory.

“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice.”

The advisory is the first since King Charles III and his wife Camilla visited Kenya towards the end of 2023.

During his address, he acknowledged the "abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence committed against Kenyans" during the struggle for independence.

“It matters greatly to me that I should deepen my own understanding of these wrongs, and that I meet some of those whose lives and communities were so grievously affected,” said the King during a State banquet hosted by president William Ruto, at State House, Nairobi.

“None of this can change the past. But by addressing our history with honesty and openness we can, perhaps, demonstrate the strength of our friendship today. And, in so doing, we can, I hope, continue to build an ever-closer bond for the years ahead.”

It was his maiden trip to Kenya since his coronation in May, 2023.