NAIROBI – Britain has issued an updated travel advisory for Kenya, warning its citizens against all but essential travel to the northern town of Moyale and surrounding areas near the Ethiopian border amid security concerns and the threat of attacks by Al-Shabaab militants.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) added Moyale and areas within five kilometres of the Ethiopia border to its list of locations where non-essential travel is advised against.
The restricted zone includes the main border crossing between Kenya and Ethiopia, marking the first time the area has been included in Britain's travel warning.
The updated advisory also maintains existing travel restrictions covering parts of Kenya's northern and eastern regions, particularly areas close to the Somali border that have experienced attacks attributed to Al-Shabaab.
The affected locations include Mandera County, parts of Wajir County, excluding Wajir town, and much of Garissa County, with Garissa town and certain other areas exempted.
Parts of Lamu County are also covered by the advisory, although Lamu and Manda islands are excluded. Restrictions further apply to specified areas of Tana River County.
Al-Shabaab, the Somalia-based militant group, has carried out repeated attacks in northeastern Kenya, particularly in areas bordering Somalia, targeting security forces and civilians.
The British government warned that its citizens who travel to areas against official advice could risk invalidating their travel insurance policies.
This could leave travellers responsible for covering medical expenses, emergency assistance and evacuation costs in the event of an incident.
The FCDO stressed that the advisory does not constitute a travel ban imposed by the Kenyan government, but rather reflects Britain's own security assessment and recommendations for British nationals visiting or living in the country.
Britain regularly reviews its travel advice based on security developments and potential risks to its citizens overseas.
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