China Issues Rare Security Alert for Kenya After Similar One from the US

The Chinese embassy in Kenya recently released a travel advisory cautioning its citizens against visiting certain parts of the country due to heightened security concerns.

The Chinese embassy released a statement advising caution for Chinese travellers exploring places like Mandera, Wajir, Lamu, Garissa or other border towns in Kenya. They recommend avoiding crowded areas or areas frequented by foreigners. This advice differs from the usual actions of Western embassies which have issued five security alerts this year alone, negatively affecting tourist traffic.

"The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Kenya remind Chinese citizens in Kenya to pay close attention to the local social security situation, strengthen their safety precautions, try to avoid going to areas where foreign tourists gather and crowded places, and be cautious when going to Mandera County, Wajir County, Garissa County, Lamu County and other Kenyan border areas." reads part of the statement.

The Chinese Embassy has requested their citizens to contact them immediately in the event of an emergency while in Kenya. This comes on the heels of a recent advisory issued by the US Embassy discouraging Americans from certain regions of the capital, Nairobi. The Chinese Embassy typically refrains from providing travel warnings to their travelling citizens, however, they now consider it imperative to bring this to their attention in light of recent events. As per the US Embassy intelligence report, Nairobi bears a high possibility of being subject to imminent terrorist attacks.

The Embassy advises individuals to maintain caution in areas commonly frequented by travellers or foreign visitors, assess their safety arrangements and be aware of their surroundings. The Embassy warns that terrorist groups may carry out unplanned assaults on places such as hotels, embassies, eateries, markets, educational institutions, police stations, and places of worship.