US Downplays Travel Advisory on Kisumu

The latest advisory on Kisumu has been downplayed by US ambassador to Kenya Margaret Whitman, who referred to it as normal.

She claimed that US opinions on the election result were not reflected in the alert on Kisumu.

“We don’t have any information that you don’t have about any dangers in Kisumu. My top priority is the safety of our personnel and US citizens in Kenya,” she said on Sunday during a press briefing.

“We have many people who work in Kisumu and we appreciate the hospitality, we issued a routine security alert,” she added.

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Concerns were raised by the advisory released on Tuesday that the US might have had knowledge of a looming security threat in the lakeside city.

“Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy has imposed movement restrictions on personnel in Kisumu. The State Department reminds US citizens of the continued need for sustained vigilance,” read the statement.

The US embassy advised its nationals to keep an eye on local media for updates, stay away from crowds and protests, and be mindful of their surroundings.

Later, the US administration justified the choice to warn its Kenyan residents against traveling to Kisumu around election time due to security concerns.

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American citizens frequently receive alerts of this nature prior to elections around the world, said the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.

“The United States has no information to suggest the security situation in Kisumu, or in any other parts of Kenya, have been adversely affected by election preparations,” said the Embassy.

The embassy emphasized that a sizable portion of U.S. Embassy staff is based in Kisumu, and that American individuals frequently visit there.

After the advisory was issued, Kisumu governor Anyang’ Nyong’o said the locals are peaceful people.

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“I want to assure those travelling to Kisumu that our people are very peaceful and looking forward to welcoming you. Enjoy our beautiful sunset City,” the county boss tweeted on Wednesday.