The British Government did not order the evacuation of its citizens from Kenya, High Commissioner Christian Turner has said.
Dr Turner added that his government did not issue a travel advisory against the country in the wake of increasing terror attacks which have been witnessed in various parts of the country including Nairobi and Mombasa.
Speaking Wednesday in Konoin Constituency, Bomet County, during a ceremony to launch a solar power project developed by a British company Williamson Tea, Mr Turner instead termed as ‘false’ media reports that Britain had warned its citizens against visiting Kenya over rising insecurity.
He also denied claims that the British government chartered private planes to evacuate its citizens due to terrorism related threats.
“There has been a lot of noise about the security situation but it is not true that the British government evacuated its citizens from Kenya last week or that we are telling people that this country is off limits,” he said.
(READ: UK issues new travel warning)
MOMBASA ONLY
According to Dr Turner, Britain only issued a change of travel advisory targeting Mombasa, adding that the same was not intended to touch on any other part of the country.
Dr Turner revealed that his office was in the process of assisting Kenya attract more tourists and investors from Britain.
“Our government is instead more focused on bringing more jobs, businesses and tourists to Kenya. That is my job,” he added.
The High Commissioner broke his silence over the issue for the first time as various local and international media outlets continued to report that hundreds of British nationals on holiday in Kenya were last week evacuated after the British Foreign Office gave warnings of a ‘high threat’ of imminent attacks on the country by religious extremists.
AL-SHABAAB THREAT
Kenya has been under attacks from terrorists believed to be linked to the Somalia based Al-Shabaab group.
The latest assault was on May 16, 2014 when twin blasts in Nairobi left 12 people dead and at least 70 others injured. One of the explosions targeted a public service vehicle at the popular Gikomba Market.
Following the warning of a ‘high threat’ of attacks, several UK tour company operators cancelled all flights to Mombasa until October, with a few announcing that they would however be on standby to fly British tourists home as a precautionary measure.
Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto lauded the High Commissioner for clarifying the matter, noting that though there have been several cases of insecurity, there was still a lot more that tourists could enjoy in the country.
ADEQUATE SECURITY
“I am sure the Kenya government is working round the clock to provide adequate security for its citizens and visitors to the country,” he said.
He however called for a review of the advisory that was issued recently by the British Government over the situation to make it more favourable and attract more visitors from the West to Kenya.
“We have amazing sceneries that can be enjoyed by our tourists. Let us do as much as possible to preserve the longstanding cordial relationship between Kenya and Britain. The two countries have a lot in common,” he said.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir urged Britain to consult with the Kenyan government in the future before issuing any travel advisories to avoid frightening Kenyans further.
-nation.co.ke
