The United States has renewed its travel warning for its citizens to consider carefully the risks of travel to northeastern Kenya.
In a revised alert released by the U.S. embassy in Nairobi, the U.S. State Department called on American citizens in the country to evaluate their personal security situation in light of continuing terror threats and a high rate of violent crime in the region.
"The U.S. Government continues to receive indications of potential terrorist threats aimed at American and Western interests in Kenya," read part of the advisory which was updated last Friday.
"Terrorist acts could include suicide operations, bombings, kidnappings, attacks on civil aviation, and attacks on maritime vessels in or near Kenyan ports."
The advisory warns of possible terrorist attacks in Kenya, saying that those responsible for past attacks in Nairobi and Kikambala in Kenya's coastal town of Mombasa are still active in the region.
The warning said the U.S. citizens in Kenya should be vigilant for possible terrorist attacks and crime at public places frequented by foreigners, especially in Wajir, in northeast part of the country.
"This replaces the Travel Warning of August 22, 2008, to note increased security concerns in northeast Kenya near the Somali border."
The statement also cited the recent kidnapping of two Italian nuns from El Wak, by armed Somali militia.
"Travel by U.S. Embassy personnel to border areas of Kenya northeast of the town of Wajir has been restricted until further notice," it says.
Washington is also warning its citizens against traveling to Kenya saying IDPs, endemic poverty and availability of weapons could result in an increase in petty and violent crime.
"Violent and sometimes fatal criminal attacks, including armed carjackings and home invasions/burglaries, can occur at any time and in any location, particularly in Nairobi. As recently as June 2008, U.S. Embassy personnel were victims of carjackings."
The statement further said the east African nation has a limited capacity to investigate and prosecute robbery suspects.
"American citizens in Kenya should be extremely vigilant, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners such as clubs, hotels, resorts, upscale shopping centers, restaurants, and places of worship," the statement warns.
"Americans should also remain alert in residential areas, schools, and at outdoor recreational events, and should avoid demonstrations and large crowds."
The U.S. warning came barely a month after Barack Obama, the U. S. Democratic Presidential candidate won the elections which the east African nation expected would herald in a new relationship.
Kenya has already suffered four terrorist attacks, all either claimed by -- or attributed to -- Osama Bin Laden's Al-Qaeda terrorist network.
In August 1998, car bombs destroyed the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. In November 2002 attackers tried to shoot down an Israeli airliner minutes before a car bomb destroyed a hotel on Kenya's coast city of Mombasa.
(Xinhua News Agency November 18, 2008)
