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Envoy says US travel advisories
to remain
EA STANDARD
March 10, 2008
By Maseme Machuka
The US travel advisories on Kenya still stand. US Ambassador, Mr
Michael Ranneberger, said the US Government was yet to review the
advisories despite the signing of a political deal between
President Kibaki and ODM leader, Mr Raila Odinga.
"We are yet to lift it. The advisory still stands. When we lift
them, it will be made public," he said. Speaking at the Law
Society of Kenya annual dinner, Ranneberger said the advisories
would stand until the US Government advised on the same.
The advisory, which was updated last month, warns US citizens to
exercise caution whenever they want to travel to Kenya. In a
statement
posted on the embassy’s website dated February 8, the travel
warning was
issued to update US citizens on safety and security conditions in
Kenya.
"The United States Peace Corps has decided to temporarily suspend
its programme in Kenya due to the continuing instability
associated with the post-election dispute. This travel warning
also reminds American citizens that the US Department of State has
authorised non-emergency personnel and family members to depart
from Kisumu and Kericho to Nairobi.
We urge American citizens to defer all travel to Rift Valley,
Western, and Nyanza provinces." The warning superseded the earlier
one of October 18, and incorporated key information from the Kenya
travel alert of January 31. Many leaders have called on the US to
lift the advisory, which they say has affected the tourism
industry.
Last year during his campaigns, ODM leader, Mr Raila Odinga,
called on the US to lift the ban to boost tourism and allow
American tourist to visit their favourite destination. Americans
who travelled to or resided in Kenya despite this travel warning
were asked to register through the State Department’s travel
registration website to make it easier for the Embassy to contact
them in case of emergency.
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