US ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman travelled to Kisumu on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, weeks after the American embassy cautioned its citizens against travelling to the lakeside city.
Whitman met Kisumu governor Anyang’ Nyong’o and County Commissioner Josephine Ouko during her Tuesday visit.
“@AnyangNyongo, congratulations on your re-election and thank you for making time to meet with me on my first visit to Kisumu! Kisumu is a beautiful city and host to numerous U.S. investments, American businesses, U.S. citizens & embassy programs,” Meg Whitman tweeted.
The US ambassador to Kenya also had a conversation with US Embassy staff who are leading critical United States programs and investments within the area.
Controversial US embassy Kisumu travel advisory
The US embassy in Kenya on August 2, 2022, cautioned its citizens against travelling to Kisumu sparking public uproar.
The travel advisory came just a day after Meg Whitman arrived in the country to take over as the US ambassador to Kenya.
The advisory raised eyebrows across social media platforms in Kenya, with many citizens wondering why vigilance should only be observed in a particular city.
The US embassy was accused of creating unnecessary fear and tension in Kisumu which locals feared could lead to business inactivity till the elections were over.
The embassy was forced to clarify the travel advisory following the public uproar.
In a statement issued by the Embassy Spokesperson on August 3, the US government said it was not privy to any information that Kisumu was likely to experience violence during the general elections.
“Alerts of this nature to American citizens are common ahead of elections throughout the world and the United States has no information to suggest the security situation in Kisumu or any other parts of the country have been affected by election preparations,” read the statement in part.
The statement posted on the embassy’s official website clarified that the alert focused on Kisumu County since it plays host to numerous US embassy staff and that US citizens visit the lakeside city frequently.
The US Department of State, said the statement, had no greater responsibility than the safety and security of US citizens overseas and routinely issues security alerts surrounding elections, health conditions and extreme weather.
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