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Britain issues travel warnings as party nominations start


The British government has advised its citizenss in Kenya to avoid large gatherings during the electioneering period.

UK gave a fresh travel warning on Wednesday, six days after the United States had issued a similar alert.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advised British citizens living in Kenya to be vigilant as aspirants compete for slots during party nominations.

The new advice does not list any specific areas to be avoided by the British, but generally warns of potential for violence as political aspirants  seek to eliminate each other in party primaries.

“Rallies and protests may take place during primaries and in the lead up to, during and after elections, you should take care in public places where people gather, and exercise a heightened level of vigilance,” the FCO said in a statement on Wednesday.

NOMINATIONS DEADLINE

Most political parties are scheduled to hold their nominations from between April 13 and 26, ahead of the deadline by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to submit names of candidates by end of May.

Both the US and Britain have previously advised their nationals against all but essential travel to north eastern counties of Garissa, Wajir and Mandera as well as Eastleigh in Nairobi.

In the past, primaries have been rocked with violence as goons disrupt or protest perceived irregularities.

In 2007 and 2013, chaos erupted in most strongholds for parties.

A travel alert last June urged US citizens to avoid visiting Lamu, Nairobi’s Eastleigh neighbourhood and Kenya’s northeastern counties.

That warning also cited a US embassy recommendation to avoid using the Likoni ferry “due to safety concerns” and to visit Mombasa’s Old Town only during daylight hours.