Senator Condemns US Travel Advisory on Kenya

Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana has strongly criticized the recent travel advisory issued by the United States, warning its citizens against visiting Kenya due to security concerns.

On Tuesday, March 18, the US Embassy in Kenya released an alert cautioning Americans about increased security risks in the country.

The advisory specifically pointed out certain regions, including counties along the Kenya-Somalia border—Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera—as high-risk areas.

Additionally, it flagged Tana River County and coastal areas north of Malindi due to the ongoing threats of terrorism and kidnappings.

The statement from the embassy urged visitors to be vigilant, citing dangers such as crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnappings.

“Exercise caution in Kenya due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas of the country have a greater risk,” the advisory read.

It further warned that violent crimes, including armed carjackings, muggings, home invasions, and kidnappings, could happen at any time, adding that local law enforcement may not always be able to respond effectively to serious crimes and terrorist threats.

In response, Senator Mungatana dismissed the claims, arguing that Kenya—especially Tana River County—is far safer than the United States.

He called out US Chargé d’Affaires Marc Dillard, questioning his authority to label Tana River as unsafe, especially since he had never set foot in the county.

“They have mentioned Tana River in their advisory. I would like to ask the ambassador—have you ever been to Tana River? How can you declare it unsafe when you have no firsthand experience of the region?” Mungatana asked.

The senator accused the US of spreading misinformation that damages the reputation of Tana River County. He insisted that the advisory was not based on facts but rather on outdated stereotypes that do not reflect the reality on the ground.

“Tana River is peaceful and secure. If anything, America is far more dangerous than Tana River by a hundred times. Here, people live in harmony, and cases of robbery or violent crime are extremely rare,” Mungatana stated.

He urged the US government to stop relying on misleading perceptions and instead acknowledge that Tana River is a thriving region with great investment opportunities.

In the advisory, the US Embassy had also listed government buildings, schools, places of worship, malls, and hotels as potential targets for terrorist attacks, warning that such incidents could occur with little or no warning.

However, Mungatana insisted that the advisory painted a false picture and discouraged investors and tourists from visiting a region that is, in reality, safe and stable.

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