UK issues travel advisory for its citizens in Kenya
By Faith Lagat, September 18, 2025The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued an updated travel advisory for British citizens residing in or planning to travel to Kenya, citing a heightened terrorism threat.
The advisory, released on September 18, 2025, warns against all travel to eastern areas of Kenya, including the border with Somalia, and advises against all but essential travel to some neighbouring regions due to risks posed by extremist groups such as Al Shabaab.
Restricted and high-risk areas
According to the FCDO, “FCDO now advises against all travel to areas in the east of Kenya, including the border with Somalia, and now advises against all but essential travel to some neighbouring areas. See the ‘Warnings and insurance’ page for details of areas.”
“There is a heightened threat of terrorism across Kenya. Attacks could target westerners, including British nationals. These could occur at any time, including at religious events, public holidays or celebrations.”
The prohibited zones include Mandera County, the Tarbaj and Wajir East constituencies in Wajir County (except Wajir Town), areas of Wajir County within 60 km of the Somalia border, Garissa County (except Garissa Town, the Lagdera constituency, and parts of Balambala), and Lamu County (except Lamu Island and Manda Island).
All but essential travel is also discouraged to Garissa Town, Tana River County north of the Tana River up to Saka, and within 15km of the east coast between the Tana and Galana rivers.
“Attacks are indiscriminate and could occur in places visited by foreigners, including tourists, such as, but not limited to, diplomatic premises, hotels, bars, restaurants and nightclubs, sporting events, supermarkets and shopping centres, beaches, safari parks, commercial and government buildings, and places of worship.”
Past incidents
The advisory notes a “high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals”, naming Al Shabaab, an Al Qaeda-affiliated group, as the primary risk due to Kenya’s military involvement in Somalia. “Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Kenya,” the FCDO warns, listing potential targets such as hotels, restaurants, beaches and places of worship.
It cites recent attacks, including the 2020 Lamu County airstrip assault and the 2019 Nairobi hotel complex incident, as evidence of the ongoing danger.
Safety guidance
For visitors to Lamu Island and Manda Island, the FCDO advises, “You should only travel to the islands by air to Lamu airport…and not by road,” citing the proximity to the mainland’s risks.
“Travellers to Lamu Island and Manda Island should be particularly vigilant given the close proximity of these islands to the Lamu County mainland. You should only travel to the islands by air to Lamu Airport (a civilian airport on Manda Island) and not by road. The only commercial option for air travel to or from Lamu Island and Manda Island is through Lamu Airport.”
The advisory also flags a “high threat of terrorist kidnap across Kenya”, with Westerners, including British nationals, as prime targets. “Further kidnappings are very likely,” it cautions, emphasising the UK’s policy against ransom payments under the Terrorism Act (2000). British nationals are urged to stay vigilant and consult the FCDO’s “Safety and security” and “Regional risks” pages for updates.
“This is a serious escalation, and we urge all citizens to reconsider travel plans,” a UK official stated.