Tourists warned about Kenya

2008-01-01 17:00

London - Foreign tourists were warned on Monday to avoid non-essential travel to Kenya amid deadly poll violence, while tour operators called off local excursions for travellers already there, officials said.

Britain and the United States joined a clutch of European governments advising their nationals not to visit troubled parts of the east African country, following clashes which have left at least 162 dead since disputed presidential elections on Thursday.

"Sporadic incidents of violence have taken place in urban centres. There is an increased risk of violence in urban centres. You should stay indoors and seek advice locally before travelling," said Britain's Foreign Office.

And the US State Department warned: "US citizens should strongly consider the risks of travel to Kenya at this time. The situation in Kenya is volatile and subject to change."

Growing concern

Austria, Denmark, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden all warned their citizens against unnecessary travel to Kenya, as opposition candidate Raila Odinga rejected President Mwai Kibaki's re-election victory.

Britain specifically advised against "all but essential travel" to Nairobi city centre, as well as Kisumu, Kakamega, Kericho, Eldoret and the Kisauni area of Nyali district in Mombasa, and Likoni and Tiwi areas south of Mombasa.

In a sign of growing concern, French travel firms Nouvelles Frontieres and Kuoni France announced they were suspending flights to Kenya until further notice, including a flight on Tuesday evening from Paris to Nairobi.

In Germany, travel giant TUI said its next departures for Kenya were not planned until Wednesday. "We are waiting to see how the situation develops tomorrow to decide on whether we maintain them," said spokesperson Mario Koepers.

"For the moment we have cancelled excursions for tourists on holiday on the beaches in Kenya, and pulled Nairobi as a stopover for safari tours," he said.

Dutch tourism industry sources reported no immediate sign of people cancelling holidays, saying holidaymakers were being advised if necessary to keep away from dangerous urban centres.

Around 10 000 Britons are in Kenya at present, nearly all either on safari or staying in beach resorts close to Mombasa.

Sweden underlined the risk in particular for travellers not going with tour operators. "These independent travellers (should) perhaps plan to postpone their trip," said its foreign ministry.

- AFP