The United Kingdom has issued a new travel advisory cautioning its citizens against traveling to several regions of Kenya, citing the persistent threat of terrorism, banditry, and armed clashes along the country’s borders.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warned against all travel to areas near the Kenya-Somalia frontier, including Mandera, Tarbaj, and Wajir East constituencies in Wajir County, except for Wajir Town. The advisory also covers parts of Garissa County, including Lagdera and sections of Balambala constituency, as well as most of Lamu County, excluding Lamu and Manda islands.
Officials said the guidance was prompted by frequent attacks attributed to Somalia-based militant group al-Shabaab, which have claimed the lives of civilians and members of Kenya’s security forces. Armed groups are also reported to operate inside Boni National Reserve and along the porous border with Somalia.
The FCDO further urged caution in areas of Garissa Town, Tana River County north of the Tana River, and within 15 kilometers of Kenya’s east coast between the Tana and Galana rivers. Foreign nationals are not usually direct targets, the advisory said, but travelers should exercise extreme vigilance.
Britons planning trips to Lamu or Manda islands were advised to fly via Lamu Airport on Manda Island and avoid traveling by road. For travel between Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the city center, the FCDO recommended using the Mombasa Road or Nairobi Expressway.
Beyond the Somali border, the advisory highlighted insecurity elsewhere in Kenya. Rural regions in the north and northeast are prone to cattle rustling and ethnic clashes, while attacks using landmines have been reported around Moyale on the Ethiopia border. A dusk-to-dawn curfew remains in force in parts of Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia, and Samburu counties due to ongoing violence.
“There have been frequent attacks in the northeastern border regions, most of which were attributed to Al Shabaab,” the statement noted, stressing that a heavy security presence has been deployed but warning that risks remain high.
The advisory also flagged Mount Elgon in western Kenya, where security forces are engaged in sporadic armed clashes, and cautioned that further incidents are possible.
