Security tightened in Mombasa after new western travel advisories

Kenya: Police patrols have been increased around key installations in Mombasa including Moi International Airport following terrorist threats and new Western travel advisories on the region.

There was heightened security at the Moi International Airport yesterday, with armed police manning the entrance to the airport inspecting vehicles and motorists accessing the facility.

A handful of tourists on holiday at the Coast reacted swiftly to last Friday's warnings of imminent terrorist attacks on Mombasa and Nairobi by the United Kingdom and Australia.

A British couple on holiday at Travellers Beach Hotel in North Coast said they have been approached by their tour operator and told to leave the country.

A teary Edna Elliot from Devon in the UK said she was sad at the sudden turn of events but would comply and fly out on Wednesday. "I love Kenya. It is my second home. I am involved in charity work and work as a director at a children's home in Kikambala, Kilifi County," she said as she wiped tears from her eyes.

She said their holiday stay was supposed to last for three weeks where she had intended to have time with the children at the Kikambala home.

"We have only spent one week here and have to leave. I have never felt unsafe here. If it's about insecurity, it is everywhere," she said.

An Italian national, Spitaleri Rino, said he is always impressed with visits to Kenya and was not disturbed by the travel advisories. "No one will move me from this place which I prefer to call my second home,'' said Rino, a retired engineer who was on his 35th trip to Kenya.

Elsewhere, there were reports that about six women were arrested by Kenya's military in Wajir and Lamu while trying to enter Somalia on a suspected terrorist mission and are now detained in Mombasa.

Separately, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Phylis Kandie said she was surprised at the new advisories by both the UK and Australia.

In a statement, Ms Kandie said the Government expected Kenyan partners to be more supportive rather than taking such an action. "Security throughout Kenya and especially in tourist hotspots has vastly improved in the last few months, so much that we had been looking forward to have nations that placed travel warnings on Kenya lift or review them positively," Kandie said.

The CS pledged that the Government will engage the Western nations further with a view of reversing the situation.

But even as Kandie pledged State's engagement, it emerged that Kenyan authorities had been consulted prior to the issuance of the new travel advisories.

 

UK High Commissioner to Kenya Christian Turner in an email to tourism stakeholders seen by The Standard said Kenyan authorities had been informed of the developments.

The email read in part: "This evening we regrettably raised the travel advice for Kenya's North Coast. This decision, taken by ministers in London, was discussed with Kenyan counterparts and not taken lightly."