US issues Level III travel notice to its citizens

The United States has issued another advisory against Kenya due to Covid-19 and urged its citizens to reconsider their travel.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level III travel health notice for Kenya due to Covid-19, indicating a high level of the disease in the country.

This is an upgrade from Level two status that US had issued early this year.

 “Your risk of contracting Covid-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorised vaccine. 

Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC’s specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers,” said the US in an advisory dated August 10.

 US also urged its citizens to exercise increased caution in Kenya due to crime, terrorism, health issues and kidnapping, saying that some areas have increased risk.

US citizens have been urged not to travel to Kenya-Somalia border and some coastal areas due to terrorism and areas of Turkana due to crime.

 In June, the US Government had issued Level II notice for Kenya owing to Covid-19, a situation that pointed to the country having moderate status of the disease.

 There are four levels of advisories, where level 1 urges citizens to exercise normal precaution; level 2 urges for increased caution while levels 3 and 4 calls for travel reconsideration and not travelling respectively.

 Latest advisory  also urges US citizens to reconsider travelling to Nairobi in the  neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera at all times due to crime and kidnapping. 

“Be especially careful when traveling after dark anywhere in Kenya due to crime.

Violent crime such as armed carjacking, mugging, home invasion, and kidnapping can occur at any time,” read the advisory.

 Criminal incidents

US claims local police are willing but often lack the capability to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents and terrorist attacks.

 It also stated that the emergency medical and fire service is limited.

 “Terrorist attacks have occurred with little or no warning, targeting Kenyan and foreign government facilities, tourist locations, transportation hubs, hotels, resorts, markets/shopping malls, and places of worship.

Terrorist acts have included armed assaults, suicide operations, bomb/grenade attacks, and kidnappings,” added the advisory.

 Due to risks to civil aviation operating in the vicinity of the Kenyan-Somali border, the Federal Aviation Administration has also issued a Notice to Airmen.

 According to the advisory, some schools and other facilities acting as cultural rehabilitation centers are operating in Kenya with inadequate or non-existent licensing and oversight.