UK travel advisory angers leaders

Tourism stakeholders on Saturday expressed shock, disbelief and outrage after the United Kingdom updated its travel advisory for Kenya, affecting nearly the entire coast region.

The move also prompted a section of political leaders to call on President Uhuru Kenyatta to act decisively against the UK for imposing a blanket advisory, saying the move amounted to economic embargo.

They said the advisories were unfair given that the security situation at the coast had improved.

On Friday, the UK High Commissioner to Kenya, Dr Christian Turner, announced that the advisory was in response to potential threats to British citizens.

“The UK has updated its travel advice for Kenya, adding advice against all but essential travel to the coast from Tiwi (just south of Mombasa) all the way up to the border with Somalia. This area includes Mombasa Island, Moi International Airport, Malindi, Kilifi and Watamu but does not include Diani,” Dr Turner said in a statement.

“Our travel advice is based solely upon our objective assessment of the security position, an assessment we share with the Kenyan authorities (and) changes are not driven by political or economic factors,” the envoy added.

The development comes as Kenya is yet to sign a contract on extension of a longstanding military cooperation agreement with London, which expires next month.

Last week, President Uhuru Kenyatta reportedly rejected UK’s terms and their request after holding talks with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond.

Coast tourism sector players and political leaders term the advisory a huge blow to the tourism sector which is already on its knees.

Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung’aro said:

“There is no way the UK can impose such travel advisories on Kenya and yet the envoys remain in the country. If they feel that Kenya is unsafe, let them first go back to their country and come back when it is safe.” Nyali MP Hezron Awiti asked the President to negotiate with Britain.

Kenya Coast Tourism Association (KCTA) chairman Mohamed Hersi said the travel advisory was tantamount to an economic embargo since it is affected the entire coast region.

“Including Moi airport within the range of the advisory means that even connecting flights will not be possible. Ethiopian Airlines and Turkish Airways, which pick up and drop passengers at the airport, will also be affected,” he said.