US embassy Kenya

A woman walks past a banner of Kenya's presidential candidate Raila Odinga in Kisumu, Kenya, July 30, 2022. REUTERS/Baz Ratner.

Meanwhile, the government has deployed heavy security personnel in Uasin Gishu, Ruto’s home county, after claims that youths are undergoing militia training. There’s worry that the embassy is creating unnecessary fear and tension in Kisumu which could lead to business inactivity till elections are over. Kenya has a history of voting along ethnic lines, and Ruto’s supporters say the advisory means Odinga will lose. The road towards Odinga’s rural home in Bondo, Siaya County is being re-carpeted and his farm is getting a face-lift. The advisory has raised eyebrows across social media platforms in Kenya, with many citizens wondering why vigilance should only be observed in a particular city. The US embassy in Nairobi has issued a travel advisory cautioning citizens against traveling to the western lake-side city of Kisumu, the hometown of presidential aspirant Raila Odinga.

The US Embassy in Kenya has said its earlier travel advisory to Kisumu wasn't meant to profile the area as violent.

“Kisumu hosts a significant number of US Embassy personnel and is a frequent travel destination for American citizens. The embassy had, on Tuesday, August 2 issued a travel advisory to its citizens, warning of a high probability of election-related protests. The United States Embassy in Kenya has said its earlier travel advisory to Kisumu wasn’t meant to profile the area as violent as Kenya heads to the polls next week.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 3 — The US Embassy in Nairobi has issued a travel advisory urging American citizens to avoid traveling to Kisumu ahead of next Tuesday's ...

The CS made the announcement even as he reported the arrest of eight individuals linked to inciteful leaflets circulated in Eldoret without commenting on the status of an investigation into the matter or the likelihood of pressing charges. Matiangi said the government will deploy a contingent of General Service Unit (GSU) personnel in Eldoret, Kuresoi and Molo as part of efforts to assure residents of their safety. The advisory on Kisumu came against the backdrop of increased security deployments in Eldoret, which did not feature in the Embassy’s security alert, with the Ministry of Interior citing the possibility of chaos following the emergence of what security officials termed as inciteful leaflets in parts of Rift Valley region.

The national government has been urged to engage the American Embassy (USA) in Kenya to lift a travel advisory placed against Kisumu.

He Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Rachel Omamo and Fred Matiang’i of Interior to negotiate with the US embassy with a view to address their concerns to have the advisory lifted. Governor Nyong’o said the advisory was likely to derail the gains made in repositioning the city as a tourist and business hub. US embassy through a statement yesterday issued a travel advisory to its citizens and personnel to exercise caution while visiting the lakeside city during the electioneering period.

Governor Anyang' Nyong'o wrote this on his Twitter handle after the travel advisory issued by the United States Embassy of Kenya which urged American Citizens ...

Strikes and other protest activities related to economic conditions occur regularly." The embassy had cautioned American citizens on Tuesday against travelling to Kisumu during elections. Enjoy our beautiful sunset City, " he wrote on Wednesday.

Kisumu Governor Professor Anyang Nyongo has urged Americans and other potential tourists or investors to visit the third largest city in Kenya before, ...

According to the embassy, Kenya has periodically experienced some pre-electoral violence during election cycles. Enjoy our beautiful sunset city," he said. Kisumu Governor Professor Anyang' Nyong'o has urged Americans and other potential tourists or investors to visit the third largest city in Kenya before, during and after the August 9, General Elections.

The US government has defended its decision to issue a security alert to its citizens in Kenya against visiting Kisumu during elections.

Enjoy our beautiful sunset City," Nyong'o said in a tweet on Wednesday. The advisory issued on Tuesday raised concerns that the US could have had intelligence of an impending security threat in the lakeside city. • The advisory issued on Tuesday raised concerns that the US could have had intelligence on an impending security threat in the lakeside city.

Bars and clubs in Kisumu will be closed from midnight of August 8 to 5pm of August 9 in order for residents to go out and vote during the General Elections.

They will not be admitted to the bar,” said Ouma. We are not going to harass you but pleading with the business community to understand and adhere. We will only allow those with ink on their finger to enjoy these services later in the day,” said Wanga.