The Kenya High Commission in the UK has issued an alert to Kenyan citizens amid widespread social unrest in multiple UK cities.
The High Commission advises Kenyans in the UK and Northern Ireland to stay vigilant and adhere to local authorities' guidance. Additionally, Kenyan citizens and students in the UK are encouraged to register with the High Commission via its website and contact the embassy in emergencies.
The unrest, which erupted over the weekend, saw mobs hurl bricks and flares, attack police, burn and loot shops, smash car and home windows, and target hotels housing asylum seekers.
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In response, Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened an emergency meeting with ministers and police chiefs to tackle the situation, emphasizing the need for swift criminal justice measures. The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) reported 378 arrests, with more expected.
The violence began in Southport following a knife attack that left three young girls dead and five more children critically injured. False rumors on social media initially blamed a Muslim asylum seeker, but the suspect was later identified as Axel Rudakubana, a 17-year-old born in Wales to Rwandan parents.
Despite the clarification, mosques have been targeted by rioters, prompting the government to offer enhanced security to Islamic places of worship. In Burnley, a hate crime investigation is underway after Muslim gravestones were vandalized. Local councilor Afrasiab Anwar condemned the act, calling it an attempt to incite racial tensions.
Prime Minister Starmer warned rioters of severe consequences, calling the unrest the worst in 13 years. Interior Minister Yvette Cooper criticized social media for exacerbating the violence, while Starmer reiterated that criminal laws apply both online and offline.
Additionally, Alexander denounced Elon Musk's claim that a UK civil war was "inevitable" as irresponsible, urging calm. Authorities attribute the violence to individuals linked to the defunct far-right group, the English Defence League, with rallies advertised on far-right social media under "Enough is enough."
