MANDERA, Kenya — The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a travel advisory against all travel to certain areas in the east of Kenya, including the border with Somalia.
According to the FCDO, the decision was prompted by the heightened risk of terrorism from groups based in Somalia.
The advisory specifically cautions against travel to Mandera County and to the Tarbaj and Wajir East constituencies in Wajir County, with the exception of Wajir Town and areas within 60km of Kenya’s border with Somalia.
The FCDO also advises against travel to Garissa County—except for Garissa Town, the Lagdera constituency, and parts of the Balambala constituency. In Lamu County, the advisory excludes Lamu and Manda Islands.
In a statement on its website, the FCDO confirmed that security threats have been frequent in the region.
“There have been frequent attacks in the northeastern border regions, most of which were attributed to Al Shabaab,” the statement read, adding that these attacks have resulted in casualties among both Kenyan security forces and civilians.
The advisory also notes the presence of armed militia groups in the Boni National Reserve and along the Somalia border.
Beyond the “all travel” warning, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to several other areas, including Garissa Town and Tana River County north of the Tana River as far as the town of Saka.
The advisory also extends to areas within 15km of the east coast between the Tana River and the Galana River.
The FCDO has issued specific guidance for its citizens to mitigate risks. It advises travelers to Lamu and Manda Islands to use Lamu Airport on Manda Island and avoid road travel.
For travel between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Nairobi City, it recommends using the Mombasa Road or the Nairobi Expressway.
The advisory also highlights other security risks across the country, stating that rural areas in the north and northeast occasionally experience cattle rustling, banditry, and ethnic clashes, although foreign nationals are not typically the target.
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The FCDO urged its citizens to exercise great caution and adhere to local security measures, particularly in areas where the Kenyan government has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew, such as parts of Turkana, West Pokot, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia, and Samburu counties.
The statement further warned of specific dangers near the Kenya-Ethiopia border.
“There have been attacks using landmines around Moyale, close to the main A2 road south. Vehicles crossing the Kenya-Ethiopia border at this point should stay on the A2. Avoid staying at the rest house at Sololo—travel directly to Marsabit before breaking the journey,” the advisory stated.
Finally, the FCDO noted a large security presence on Mount Elgon due to armed clashes, adding that further incidents are possible.
