By Standard Reporter
The French Government considers Kenya generally safe, and will not issue a blanket travel ban.
France also supports Kenya’s military intervention in Somalia against the radical Al Shabaab movement and is committed to Kenya’s economic development,
French Ambassador to Kenya Etienne de Poncins on Sunday said his government supports Kenya’s development and safety.
“ France was the first (European country) to express support for Operation Linda Nchi and we continue to support what the Kenya Defence Forces are doing in Somalia under difficult conditions,” he said.
Speaking on Saturday evening in Mombasa where the mission hosted the Bastille Day celebrations, the envoy said the hosting of the celebrations at the Coast demonstrated their faith in Kenya, and encouraged French tourists to visit.
“We have not issued a general travel ban to Kenya,” said the envoy but added that “we have issued a limited ban to our citizens against travel to a limited areas in Lamu, Dadaab and Garissa, places which are really dangerous.”
The envoy said although France has advised its citizens to avoid these three places it considers Kenya to be generally safe and is encouraging its citizens to visit the country.
National Day
The envoy also said that France has ploughed in a billion shillings to support Kenya’s energy generation sector.
Bastille Day is the French National Day celebrated on July 14 and holiday, commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison.
This took place on July 14, 1789 and marked the beginning of the French Revolution.
