The United States government has issued a clarification after advising its citizens against visiting Kisumu ahead of next week’s general election over possible violence related to the polls.
The US Embassy in Nairobi said it has no intelligence to suggest an eruption of violence in Kisumu, saying it was only concerned because many US citizens reside in the lakeside city.
“The United States has no information to suggest the security situation in Kisumu, or in any other parts of Kenya, have been adversely affected by election preparations,” an Embassy spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday, August 3.
US security advisory
On Tuesday, August 2, the US State Department advised its citizens against travelling to Kisumu, saying demonstrations may occur.
“Demonstrations may occasionally be violent, requiring police intervention. Strikes and other protest activities related to economic conditions occur regularly,” the US State Department said in a statement.
The advisory did not sit well with many Kenyans interpreting that the US had intelligence on who would win the next week’s presidential election.
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o dismissed the advisory and asked anyone visiting Kisumu to do so because the city is safe.
“I want to assure those travelling to Kisumu that our people are very peaceful and looking forward to welcoming you. Enjoy our beautiful sunset City,” Nyong’o said in a tweet on Wednesday.
