•The advisory comes two days to the fifth anniversary of the January 15, 2019, terrorist attack on the DusitD2 complex in Nairobi.
•It warned against visiting specific parts of the country unless absolutely necessary.
Image: STEPHEN ASTARIKO
The United Kingdom has advised its nationals to consider its travel advisory when visiting most parts of Kenya.
The advisory strongly discourages travel to specific areas unless absolutely essential.
In a notice posted on the government's website on Saturday, the UK, through its Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), cautions against all but essential travel within 60km of Kenya's border with Somalia.
It also advised against non-essential trips to eastern Garissa County and the entire Mandera County excluding Mandera West sub-county.
The UK government also advised its citizens to only visit the Lamu and Manda islands when travelling to Lamu County, but avoid everywhere else within the devolved unit.
“FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 15km of the coast between the Tana River and the Galana (Athi-Galana-Sabaki) River,” read the statement.
"No travel can be guaranteed safe. If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.”
It however added: “Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice.”
The motive behind the recent move remains unclear.
However, sources suggest that the decision is partially influenced by a statement from Daesh (formerly ISIS) new leadership on January 4.
The statement called for a global terror campaign fueled by the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Israel's ongoing bombardment of Gaza, following Hamas's October 7 attack, has reportedly resulted in the death of at least 23,843 people, predominantly women and children, as per the latest ministry toll.
The advisory comes two days to the fifth anniversary of the January 15, 2019, terrorist attack on the DusitD2 complex in Nairobi.
The DusitD2 complex was frequented by diplomats, including Americans and Israeli nationals living in Nairobi.
There are fears terror cells may try an attack to mark the days.
The warning also coincides with the El Adde attack in Somalia, in which more than 100 Kenyan troops were killed by militants on January 15, 2016.
In the Dusit attack, al-Shabaab gunmen armed with explosives, automatic weapons and grenades stormed the six-building complex of shops, offices and a hotel.
At least 21 people, including a US citizen, were killed in the attack.
The 2019 attack began when attackers set fire to three vehicles parked outside the Dusit hotel complex amid resistance.
Kenyan security agencies say they are aware of the threats and dangers ahead and they have taken various measures to tame them.
The security agencies say they have thwarted tens of attempts to stage terror attacks.