The United States Embassy in Kenya has issued a security advisory to American citizens due to ongoing protests in several cities across the country. The embassy warned that protests are likely to occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays, especially in central business districts and major thoroughfares.
They advise US citizens to monitor local media for road conditions, avoid crowds, and keep vehicle doors and windows locked.
The embassy also recommends informing friends and family of your whereabouts, reviewing personal security plans, and carrying a copy of your US passport and current Kenyan visa. Although the protests initially started peacefully, they have often turned violent, resulting in injuries and fatalities, with at least 43 people killed, according to rights groups.
The protests began in response to the Finance Bill 2024 and have evolved to include calls for the resignation of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
In response, President William Ruto withdrew the contentious bill, proposed austerity measures, and dismissed his entire cabinet, including the Attorney General. The President also accused the US-based Ford Foundation of sponsoring “anarchy” and funding anti-government protests that turned deadly last month.
“Those behind sponsoring the chaos in the Republic of Kenya, shame on them because they are sponsoring violence against our democratic nation,” Ruto said at an event in Nakuru
“I want to ask the people of Ford Foundation, that money they are giving out to sponsor violence, how are they going to benefit,” Ruto told a large crowd gathered to hear him speak.
