The Canadian government has issued a travel alert, advising citizens to "exercise a high degree of caution" if they want to visit Kenya during the holiday season.
The Canadian government highlighted terrorism, high levels of criminal activity, frequent power outages, and dangerous public transport systems and roadways as some of the causes that could risk the safety of its population.
Travel to areas bordering Somalia, including Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Lamu Counties, has been advised against due to the possibility of kidnapping and terror attacks.
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They have also been urged not to travel to areas bordering South Sudan and Ethiopia owing to armed banditry and cross-border violence.
"Avoid all travel to areas within 50 km of the coast of Tana River County and within 50 km of the coast of Kilifi County (from north of the city of Malindi to the Tana River County limits) due to a risk of kidnapping and attacks," the travel advisory states in part.
Canadians in Nairobi have been urged to avoid city estates such as Eastleigh, Kibera, and Pangani due to high rates of violent crime.
Canadian travelers have also been advised to avoid showing signals of wealth or carrying large sums of money.
They have also been reminded to protect their cash resources and important travel documents by avoiding storing them in the same area while traveling in Kenya.
They have also been warned not to leave their food and drinks alone when visiting entertainment venues and of local con artists deceiving outsiders.
"Foreigners volunteering with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have sometimes reported incidents of fraud, threats and mistreatment by local personnel," said the Canadian government.
"Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse. Attacks involving sexual assault have occurred."
