In advance of next week’s general election, the US embassy in Kenya has advised American citizens not to visit the lakeside city of Kisumu.
The embassy has issued a security warning, stating that there may be election-related rallies in the western city, some of which may be violent.
“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.
“Election-related demonstrations and rallies regularly take place in the run-up to the election and are likely to continue, at times blocking key intersections and causing traffic jams,” it said.
The two front-runners for president are Deputy President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Kisumu is regarded as Odinga’s political foundation.
Eight persons were detained by police on Tuesday in connection with hate pamphlets that allegedly warned some communities to avoid Ruto’s stronghold of Uasin Gishu in the Rift Valley.
On August 9, Kenyans will vote for a new president, 47 county governors and senators, as well as for members of parliament and municipal MPs.
Kenya has had four presidents since independence in 1964. Voters will head to the polls on August 9, 2022 to elect a new president. They will also be voting for members of the national assembly, senators, county representatives and governors.