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The United Kingdom has issued a fresh travel advisory warning its citizens against unnecessary travel to several regions in Kenya due to heightened security risks linked to terrorist groups operating from neighbouring Somalia.
In the advisory released by the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Britons are urged to avoid all travel to areas along the Kenya–Somalia border and parts of the northern coastline, where the threat of extremist attacks remains significant. Mandera County is listed among the highest-risk zones, alongside Tarbaj and Wajir East constituencies in Wajir County, as well as all areas within 60 kilometres of the Somalia border.
In Garissa County, the FCDO discourages travel except to Garissa Town, Lagdera constituency, and parts of Balambala constituency located north and west of the Saka–C81 road corridor. On the coast, the advisory warns against visiting Lamu County, with the exception of Lamu Island and Manda Island, which remain accessible to visitors.
The UK further advises against all but essential travel to Garissa Town, areas of Tana River County north of the river up to Saka, and a 15-kilometre stretch of Kenya’s eastern coastline between the Tana and Galana rivers. The advisory cites persistent threats posed by al-Shabaab militants, who have carried out sporadic attacks on road convoys, security installations, and civilian targets in affected regions.
According to the FCDO, frequent attacks in the northeastern border areas—many attributed to al-Shabaab—have resulted in casualties among both security personnel and civilians. The Ministry of Interior has in recent years intensified security operations along the border, deploying additional troops, enhancing surveillance, and expanding multi-agency patrol efforts. The advisory notes that armed militia groups continue to operate within the Boni National Reserve and along the Somalia border.
This is the third UK travel advisory issued within weeks. A similar alert in September warned against travel to eastern parts of Kenya near the Somali border, citing increased security threats. At the time, the UK advised its nationals to avoid all travel to Mandera County, Tarbaj and Wajir East constituencies in Wajir County—excluding Wajir Town—and all Wajir County areas within 60 kilometres of the border. The October notice repeats caution regarding Garissa County, except for Garissa Town, Lagdera constituency, and designated parts of Balambala constituency.
The latest advisory also follows earlier alerts on rising kidnapping cases. On June 27, the UK warned British citizens to remain highly vigilant, noting that Westerners had been targeted in past incidents and that further kidnapping attempts were “very likely.” The UK’s warning aligns with a March advisory from the United States Embassy in Nairobi, which highlighted increased kidnapping risks in northern Kenya and parts of the capital. The US urged its citizens to reconsider travel to Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Tana River, coastal areas north of Malindi, and Nairobi neighbourhoods such as Eastleigh and Kibera due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping concerns.