Kenya: The US State Department has issued a travel alert ahead of President Barack Obama’s visit to Kenya on July 24.
The alert that was issued on Monday warned American citizens that they could be targeted due to huge public events like the sixth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in Nairobi.
“As with all large public events, there is the opportunity for criminal elements to target participants and other visitors. Large-scale public events such as this Summit can also be a target for terrorists,” read the advisory.
The alert is set to expire on July 30, after the summit ends.
The alert warned US citizens to maintain a high level of security awareness, and enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive pertinent safety and security information.
Obama is set to visit Kenya for the first time as President and will attend the GES, which is scheduled to run from July 24 to 26 in Nairobi.
Canada too issued its alert earlier in the month urging its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution due to the increasing number of terrorist attacks and incidents of crime.
“There is no nationwide advisory in effect for Kenya. However, you should exercise a high degree of caution due to the increasing number of terrorist attacks and incidents of crime.”
Nairobi would be in a lockdown for three days when President Obama arrives to attend the summit.
President Obama is expected to attend the White House initiative, which gathers entrepreneurs and investors from around the world, and is aimed at showcasing innovative projects and spurring economic opportunity.
The visit is expected to command considerable global attention because of its huge symbolic importance. More than 3,000 people are expected at the meeting.
The plane carrying Obama is scheduled to land at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Friday July 24 evening. He will then proceed to his hotel, which has, however, not been disclosed.
He will then leave his hotel room for the summit on Saturday morning where he will address the meeting.
Later in the day, the President and his team are expected to visit the 1998 bomb blast site, which is town at the junction of Haile sellassie Avenue and Moi Avenue.
The US president will later meet President Kenyatta at State House and other opposition leaders and civil society groups, before holding a press conference on Saturday.
There will be an official dinner later in the evening where only invited guests will attend.
