Mombasa, Kenya: United Kingdom (UK), Kenya's leading tourist market and France have defended the travel advisories they issued against parts of Kenya, saying they are non-political and done after high level-assessment of the security in the affected area.
Speaking in Mombasa, British High commissioner, Nic Hailey and his French counterpart to Kenya Rémi Maréchaux said on Monday that they have not totally banned their citizens from visiting parts of Kenya deemed as insecure, but taken a precautionary measure for its citizens' safety.
The UK and France advise against all, but essential travel to areas within 60km of the Kenya-Somali border, Eastleigh area of Nairobi, Garissa, Lamu and Tana River counties.
They spoke at the just concluded 14th edition of the annual Kenya Association of Hotel keepers and Caterers (KAHC) symposium at the Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa, adding that the advisories are issued after security assessment is done.
Maréchaux said France issues travel advisories to its citizens whenever there is a need to address the security problems of any nation.
"The other day United States of America warned its citizen against going to France for the Euro 2016 Games because of the Paris attack, we did not say it is a political move against France, but we understood their concern and the need to ensure security for everyone," the envoy said.
He said Kenya needs to engage other governments, which have their embassies locally, to work with them on security in order to ensure security is maintained.
Maréchaux said the statements from the Kenyan government that, "The country is safe, you can trust us," cannot be relied on by France to assure its citizen of their security.
"We need assurance from what has been done because it is still evident that Lamu is still facing high threats of insecurity," he said.
He said despite the recent terrorist attacks against France, the country has remained a number one tour destination with last year receiving 85 million tourists.
Hailey said Kenya has done a tremendous job in resolving the insecurity in many parts of the nation, but there is need to ensure the affected region become more secure.
"The way the Kenya government is dealing with the terror threats is very sophisticated," he said.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary, Mr Najib Balala said the national government has invested in excess of Sh300 billion in the Interior and Defence ministries to tackle the issues of insecurity.
"This solid investment shows the seriousness and commitment of the government in dealing with these issues of insecurity," the CS said.
He said he has worked for three governments, but the Jubilee government has shown him the seriousness in trying to revive the dying tourism sector.
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