UK issues travel advisory against Mandera, Lamu and Garissa counties over insecurity
By Joel Masibo, December 2, 2025The United Kingdom has released a fresh travel advisory highlighting areas in Kenya that British nationals are urged to avoid due to heightened security risks linked to terrorism and regional instability.
The advisory, issued on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, outlines specific counties and zones where travel is discouraged, pointing to threats primarily arising from militant groups operating across the Somalia border.
Areas to avoid
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) cautions its citizens against all travel to several locations along the Kenya–Somalia border and the northern stretch of the eastern coastline.
According to the advisory, there have been frequent attacks in the north-eastern border regions, most of which were attributed to Al Shabaab.
Attacks have killed members of the Kenyan security forces as well as civilians.
”The Kenyan security forces have increased their presence in the affected areas. Armed militia groups operate within the Boni National Reserve and along the border with Somalia,” the statement said in part.
Lamu Island and Manda Island
The UK has advised that its citizens travelling to Lamu Island or Manda Island should fly to Lamu Airport (a civilian airport on Manda Island). It has also cautioned against travelling by road.
personnel to complete a 5-week Improvised Explosive Device Disposal course @ Humanitarian Peace Support School. PHOTO/@UKinKenya/X
JKIA to Nairobi City
For travel between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Nairobi City, UK citizens are advised to use the Mombasa Road or the Nairobi Expressway.
North and north-east Kenya
Rural areas, particularly in the north and north-east of Kenya, occasionally experience cattle rustling, banditry and ethnic clashes. Foreign nationals are not usually the target. However, the UK has asked its citizens to take great care.
Other counties
The UK has also argued that even though security operations continue in parts of these countries due to banditry and intercommunal violence, caution must be taken. While previous dusk-to-dawn curfews have largely been lifted, movement restrictions may still be introduced during security operations, particularly in hotspots such as the Turkana–West Pokot border, Kerio Valley (Elgeyo-Marakwet) and remote areas of Laikipia, Samburu, and Baringo.
Kenya-Ethiopia border
There have been attacks using landmines around Moyale, close to the main A2 road south. Vehicles crossing the Kenya-Ethiopia border at this point are advised to stay on the A2, avoiding staying at the rest house at Sololo – travel directly to Marsabit before breaking the journey.
Meanwhile, the advisory comes even as the United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to regional security after supporting Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel through a five-week Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) course at the Humanitarian Peace Support School (HPSS) in Nairobi.
According to the British High Commission’s statement on Friday, November 21, 2025, the newly trained specialists are now equipped to counter IED threats and bolster African Union and United Nations peacekeeping operations across East Africa.