US issues travel alert ahead of Obama’s Nairobi visit

The US State Department has issued a travel alert ahead of President Barack Obama’s visit to Kenya later this month.

The alert issued on Monday warned American citizens that they could be turned into targets 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,” the travel alert read. “Large-scale public events such as this summit can also be a target for terrorists.

The alert encouraged travellers to be on the lookout for possible terrorists and criminals.

They were also encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program (SMART) to enable them receive pertinent safety and security information.

The alert is set to expire on July 30, after the summit ends.

The US leader is to visit Kenya for the first time as President and will attend the GES which is scheduled to run from July 24 to 26. The summit will be co-hosted by the US and Kenya.

 SOURCE: Nairobi News