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The UK has updated its a travel advisory for Kenya, citing protests in a number of areas in the country since August 11.
The advisory, which was updated by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on Sunday, read in part: “There have been protests in a number of areas since August 11. Further protests are possible.”
The FCO added: “Presidential, parliamentary, county and local elections took place on August 8. The Electoral Commission announced the results on August 11. The opposition have disputed the results.
“In the past, some political protests, rallies and demonstrations have turned violent. During this period, you should exercise a heightened level of vigilance and take care in public places where people gather.”
The FCO advised UK citizens to monitor local and international media to avoid any demonstrations or disturbances taking place.
“Leave any area of unrest quickly and don’t attempt to watch or photograph it. You should consider making personal contingency plans in case of unrest,” it said.
The FCO advised against all but essential travel to areas within 60km of the Kenya-Somali border, Garissa County and Lamu County (excluding Lamu Island and Manda Island).
It also advised against all but essential travel to areas of Tana River north of the Tana River itself within 15km of the coast from the Tana River down to the Galana (Athi-Galana-Sabaki) River.
The FCO advised UK citizens: “If you travel to Lamu Island or Manda Idland, you should do so by air to Manda Airport and not by road.”
On Monday, the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) Coast Branch Executive Officer, Sam Ikwaye, said the UK travel advice would not affect tourism in Kenya as it did not include the safari destinations and the coastal beach resorts.
“We are happy that the UK travel advice doesn’t include our national parks, game reserves and conservancies as well as the popular beach holiday destinations at the Kenya coast,” he said.
He explained that tourism in the capital city, Nairobi, would also not be affected as the protests occurred in the slum areas.
Ikwaye pointed out that since the areas to which the FCO advised against all but essential travel excluded Lamu and Manda Islands, the move might even boost tourism in Lamu County.
Sоurсе: tourismupdate.co.za