US issues Kenya terror alert amid crime, kidnapping fears

The US Embassy in Kenya has issued a travel advisory warning American citizens of potential terror attacks along Kenya’s border with Somalia, as well as rising cases of crime and kidnapping.

The advisory names Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera counties as high-risk areas for terrorist activity, urging US citizens to avoid travel to said areas due to the threat of kidnappings.

At the Coast, the embassy has warned against travel to several parts of Kilifi—especially north of Malindi—as well as Lamu and Tana River counties, except for Tsavo National Park.

The advisory also places West Pokot and Turkana counties on high alert following repeated banditry attacks.

Additionally, the US embassy has urged extreme caution for its nationals visiting Kibera and Eastleigh in Nairobi, citing high crime rates that are difficult for law enforcement to control due to dense populations.

“Violent crime, such as armed carjacking, mugging, and home invasion, can occur at any time. Street crime can involve multiple armed assailants,” the advisory reads.

“Local police often lack the resources and training to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents,” it further adds.

The embassy has also flagged Marsabit and Turkana counties as vulnerable due to their proximity to Ethiopia’s border, where cross-border incursions pose a security risk.

The warning follows a February attack on Kenyan fishermen by suspected Ethiopian militiamen in Todonyang, Lake Turkana, which left 20 people dead, with some bodies still missing.

The advisory also highlights concerns over limited access to medical care, warning that healthcare facilities outside major cities may lack adequate medication and supplies.

“Access to medical care in Kenya may not be on the same level as it is in the United States, and medical facilities may not have adequate medication supplies, especially outside large cities,” the embassy noted.

Political unrest, including recent anti-government protests, has also contributed to security concerns, particularly in Nairobi and parts of Western Kenya.