UK envoy says travel advisories are based on security risks assessment

British High Commissioner to Kenya Dr Christian Turner, has defended his country's travel advisories against Kenya saying they are based on assessment of security risks.

Turner who was hosted by elite Kenyan Coast tourism stakeholders at the Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa on Thursday evening at the end of a two day tour of the Kenyan Coast, said the the advisories are not a ban on British citizens to visit Kenya

Dr Turner said that before such advisories are issued, his government ensure full engagement with relevant Kenyan authorities.

"Our advice is driven solely by our objective assessment of the level of risk to British nationals in Kenya," Turner said.

He added that rules of travel advisories issued by the British government are the same the world over insisting that the advice issued to Kenya is the same as those issued to other nations.

"This is the way we operate across the whole world,” Turner told a tourism consultative forum organised by Kenya Association of Hotel-keepers and Caterers(KAHC).

He said that the British government will continue to offer support to the Kenyan government. Turner said his government will continue to engage the Kenyan government to tackle youth radicalisation and terror.

"There is so much we are doing together in matters of security," he said.

Kahc Coast branch Executive officer, Sam Ikwaye and Sai Roc Hotel General Manager Robert Kiri, said that though there is uncertainty on when the UK will lift its travel advisories, it was encouraging to see Tuner engage with travel trade at the Coast.

Kenya Coast Tourist Association (KCTA) chairman Mohamed Hersi, said the travel advisories have had a multiplier effect as other nations tend to act on advice by the British.

Sarova Group of Hotels Managing Director Jaideep Vohra and Kahc Chief Executive officer Mike Macharia, urged for a review of the advisory.