The United Kingdom has renewed its travel warning against key areas in northern Kenya, casting a chill over the regions of Mandera, Lamu, and Garissa ahead of the peak holiday season. The alert, updated on December 2, 2025, points to a continued threat of terrorism and kidnapping.

For families in Lamu who depend on tourism, this is more than a distant diplomatic notice; it's a direct threat to their livelihoods. The advisory from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) effectively cuts off major tourism arteries by road, recommending against all but essential travel to Lamu County, with the exception of the popular Lamu and Manda islands, which it advises visitors to reach by air.

The government in London has attributed the persistent warnings to threats from Somalia-based extremist groups, particularly Al-Shabaab. “Frequent attacks have occurred in the north-eastern border regions, most of which were attributed to Al Shabaab,” the FCDO noted, emphasizing that these attacks have claimed the lives of both civilians and Kenyan security forces.

A Familiar Sting for a Vital Industry

This is not a new challenge for Kenya. The nation has long grappled with the economic fallout from such international warnings. Tourism stakeholders in the coastal region have repeatedly voiced their frustration, arguing that the advisories create a climate of fear that hurts the local economy. They contend that while security challenges are real, the government has significantly increased its presence and operations in the affected areas to protect residents and visitors alike.

The FCDO’s detailed warning specifies several areas to be avoided:

• Mandera County: All areas.
• Wajir County: Areas within 60km of the Somali border, as well as Tarbaj and Wajir East constituencies, excluding Wajir Town.
• Garissa County: Most of the county, with exceptions for Garissa Town and specific constituencies.
• Lamu County: The advisory warns against travel to the county, but exempts Lamu and Manda islands.

Kenyan security forces have been active in countering the threats. A recent report covering late 2024 to August 2025 noted 61 terror-related incidents in the hotspot counties, including IED attacks and kidnappings. Just days before the UK advisory was issued, a multi-agency security team reportedly thwarted an attempted border incursion by militants.

The Path Forward

While the advisory acknowledges that popular safari destinations like the Maasai Mara remain largely unaffected, the persistent warnings for the northern coast risk entrenching a narrative of instability that is difficult to shake. For the boat operators, hoteliers, and artisans of Lamu, the hope is that the security measures on the ground will soon speak louder than the warnings from abroad, allowing their economy to thrive once more. As one tourism stakeholder previously argued, terrorism is a global threat, and Kenya's commitment to fighting it should be recognized.