British government issues travel warning for Kenya

LONDON, July 14 (UPI) -- The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued a travel advisory for Kenya on Saturday.

Citing "a high threat from terrorism, including kidnapping" by al-Shabaab associates and noting recent attacks both in coastal areas and around the capital city of Nairobi, the Foreign Office issued the following notice:

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all but essential travel to:

-- areas within 60km of the Kenya-Somali border;

-- Garissa District;

-- the Eastleigh area of Nairobi;

-- low income areas of Nairobi, including all township or slum areas;

-- Mombasa island and within 5km of the coast from Mtwapa creek in the north down to and including Tiwi in the south (this area does not include Diani or Moi international airport);

-- Lamu County and those areas of Tana River County north of the Tana river itself.

In 2012, more than 180,000 British nationals visited Kenya. "Most visits are trouble-free," the Foreign Office noted.

The British government encourages its citizens to retain situational awareness, especially in public areas, and to monitor media and travel advisories in the region they are traveling.