Kenya urges Britain to lift travel warnings in two islands

The Kenyan government and tourism stakeholders on Tuesday called on Britain to lift travel advisories still in place in two islands in the coastal region.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala and Lamu County Governor Issa Timmamy led tourism stakeholders in lobbying for the travel advisories to be lifted in Lamu and Manda islands during a sector meeting attended by British High Commissioner Nic Hailey in Lamu.

Balala said the travel warnings were affecting the two Islands despite major security investments made by the government.

The East African nation's coastal towns are the backbone of the country's tourism industry which has suffered a decline since September 2011 when the Somali-based militant group Al-Shabaab carried out kidnappings of tourists in the Lamu archipelago and the kidnapping of Spanish volunteers.

Balala said the government has increased security in the region and it was time the British Government re-evaluated its advisory.

Speaking during the meeting, the British high commissioner acknowledged major security measures had been put in place in the coastal region and said his government would respond positively after reviewing the security situation. Enditem