Reactions as US Issues Security Alert on Kisumu Ahead of SCoK Ruling

By Kevin Koech

Posted on 2 September 2022

US ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman and Kisumu PHOTO/COURTESY

The United States through its Embassy in Nairobi has warned its citizens from traveling to Kisumu ahead of the Supreme Court verdict.

Ahead of the verdict slated for Monday, September 5, the Embassy has imposed movements restrictions to its staff members.

In a statement dated Thursday, September 1, the Embassy noted that Kenya has periodically experienced post-election violence and warned its citizens to be vigilant.

“Election-related demonstrations and rallies regularly take place after elections, at times blocking key intersections and causing traffic jams

“Demonstrations may occasionally be violent, requiring police intervention. Strikes and other protest activities related to economic conditions occur regularly,” the advisory read in part.

They added that the alert should not alarm the general public but advised its personnel to be careful.

“Out of an abundance of caution, the U.S. Embassy has imposed movement restrictions on U.S. government personnel in Kisumu

“The State Department reminds U.S. citizens of the continued need for sustained vigilance,” the advisory read.

The new advisory drew criticism from Kenyans on social media as seen below.

Advisory …. Why specific to Kisumu ??? I smell a very very big Rat! Don’t like it …

— Sen. Ledama Olekina (@ledamalekina) September 1, 2022

But surely, what beef does the @USEmbassyKenya have with the people of Kisumu? It is uncalled for.

— Philip Etale (@EtalePhilip) September 1, 2022

U.S embassy has given an alert again on kisumu,eh what do they know we don’t know?

— Beth Kasinga 🌴 (@beth_kasinga) September 1, 2022

Kisumu people were just chilling peacefully then all over a sudden, The US Embassy in Nairobi has issued a security alert ahead of The Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential results next week on Monday of possible chaos.

— Omwamba 🇰🇪 (@omwambaKE) September 1, 2022

I think the Reason why the US Embassy is interested in Kisumu so much is because Kisumu is the largest place other than Nairobi where they have more US citizens and employees. I guess they don't have sinister intentions behind this advisory

— Omwamba 🇰🇪 (@omwambaKE) September 1, 2022

On August 3, the US Embassy controversially imposed movement restrictions to its citizens ahead of the August 9 General Elections.

In a statement, the embassy warned it’s citizens against traveling to Kisumu County with just 5 days to the polls.

The embassy noted that election-related demonstrations and rallies mostly take place in the run-up to the elections and they are expected to block key intersections and causing traffic jams.

The embassy also noted that such demonstrations are most likely to be violent.

It also pointed put that such demos occur regularly in Kisumu County.

“Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy has imposed movement restrictions on personnel in Kisumu. The State Department reminds U.S. citizens of the continued need for sustained vigilance,” the statement read.

The US citizens were asked to review their personal security plans, have travel documents up to date and easily accessible.

It also advisable that they also carry proper identification, including a copy of the bio-page of their US passport with a copy of a current Kenyan visa.