Canada warns citizens against travelling to Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Lamu counties

Canadian nationals in Kenya have been urged to exercise caution when visiting some parts of the country due to threats of terrorism and crime.

In a travel advisory issued on Monday, the Canadian High Commission in Kenya advised its citizens to completely avoid travel to areas bordering Somalia, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Lamu counties have been designated as no-go zones by the commission following incidences of terrorism and kidnappings targeting foreigners in the area.

Turkana and Marsabit counties have been flagged for banditry and incidences of cross-border violence.

According to the Canadian High Commission, Beachfront accommodations on the coastal area are vulnerable to criminal activity, such as armed robbery, break-ins and carjacking.

"Avoid all travel within 50km of the coast of Tana River County and within 50km of the coast of Kilifi County (from north of the city of Malindi to the Tana River County limits) due to a risk of kidnapping and attacks," the advisory read in part.

"There is a threat of terrorism. Credible information indicates that Westerners may be targeted by extremists in Nairobi, Naivasha, Nanyuki, Meru, Narok and the coastal areas of Kenya."

The Commission added that the alleged terror attacks could target government buildings, places of worship, transportation hubs such as airports, public areas such as tourist attractions, and restaurants and other sites frequented by foreigners.

Canadians residing in Nairobi have likewise been counselled to limit their movements in Eastleigh, Kibera and Pangani due to high crime rates.

"There is a high crime rate in most regions of Kenya, particularly in major cities such as Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu. In Nairobi, exercise extreme caution in informal settlement communities such as Kasarani, Kibera and Mathare, due to the high level of crime and limited capacity of police to respond to incidents," read the advisory.

Canadians have similarly been counselled to be on the look out for scams, piracy and incidents of online fraud, taking part in demonstrations and travelling with large amounts of cash and drawing unwanted attention to themselves. 

The Commission correspondingly urged Canadian citizens to adhere to regulations governing a 30-day dusk to dawn curfew instituted in Marsabit County by the government on May 2, 2022.

"The curfew is in effect in Marsabit County until June 1, 2022. Kenyan security forces are engaged in security operations in the area. Follow curfew orders," said the statement.