US Issues Travel Advisory on Kenya’s Kisumu City

The US Embassy in Nairobi has cautioned its citizens against travelling to Kisumu city ahead of the Supreme Court ruling scheduled for September 5th .

In the advisory issued on Thursday, September 1, the Us Embassy in Nairobi stated that Kenya has periodically experienced some post-electoral violence during election cycles, they have cautioned their staff members in Lakeside city to be more vigilant.

The Embassy noted that the advisory was informed by a previous pattern of protests that break out in Kisumu after the election period

According to the Embassy, the advisory should not alarm members of the public but they urged their personnel to be extra careful.

The advisory reads in part that Out of an abundance of caution, the U.S. Embassy has imposed movement restrictions on U.S. government personnel in Kisumu. The State Department reminds U.S. citizens of the continued need for sustained vigilance,”

The advisory also noted that Election-related demonstrations and rallies regularly take place after elections, at times blocking key intersections and causing traffic jams. Demonstrations may occasionally be violent, requiring police intervention. Strikes and other protest activities related to economic conditions occur regularly.

A similar advisory had been issued by the US embassy On August 2nd , that imposed movement restrictions and further cautioned its citizens to only visit kisumu city if and when necessary.