UK High Commission issues Kenya terror alert

KDF Soldiers in a security patrol in the past. [File, Standard]

The British High Commission in Kenya has issued a terror threat alert to UK citizens.

The alert shared on its official website references information from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Affected counties include those in north eastern.

"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to: areas within 60km of the Kenya-Somali border, Eastern Garissa County (up to 20km north-west of the A3), Mandera County (excluding Mandera West sub-county), Lamu County (excluding Lamu Island and Manda Island), areas of Tana River County north of the Tana river itself (up to 20km north-west of the A3), within 15km of the coast from the Tana river down to the Galana (Athi-Galana-Sabaki) river," the statement read in part.

According to the UK High Commission, terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Kenya.

"There is a heightened threat of terrorism, including terrorist kidnappings, across Kenya. Attacks, including terrorist kidnappings, could target Westerners, including British nationals. Attacks could occur at any time, including around religious or other public holidays or celebrations.

Attacks could be indiscriminate in places frequented by foreigners including hotels, bars, restaurants, sports bars and nightclubs, sporting events, supermarkets, shopping centres, commercial buildings, coastal areas including beaches, government buildings including Embassies, airports, buses, trains and other transport hubs. Places of worship including churches and mosques have also been targeted," said the Embassy.

The alert by the UK High Commission comes hours after the US issued a similar alert.

"On 9 February the US Embassy issued an alert saying that "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 government of Kenya has increased counter-terrorism patrols." British Nationals are advised to be extremely vigilant in these areas," said the Embassy.

British nationals have been advised to carry any identification with them at all times, preferably an original passport.

The latest alert also touches on other crimes.

"There are frequent incidents of violent crime including mugging, armed robbery and carjacking, particularly in the large cities. There is a threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean." Said the Embassy.