The United States Embassy in Kenya recently warned American citizens living or working in Kenya to be careful because there are plans for a public demonstration in Nairobi.
The embassy put out an alert on Tuesday, January 13, saying that reports on social media showed people were calling for a protest near the U.S. Embassy in the Gigiri area on Wednesday, January 14.
This demonstration is said to be against recent actions by the United States military in Venezuela. In its notice, the embassy explained that some people are unhappy about what happened in Venezuela and want to show their disagreement by holding a demonstration.
The embassy said it does not expect the protest to disrupt its normal work, but it is still warning people to pay attention and take safety steps because there could be crowds and tension. The anger is connected to events in early January, when the United States carried out a military operation in Venezuela.
In that operation, U.S. forces entered Caracas, the capital, and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. They were then taken to the United States and charged in a federal court with crimes including narco-terrorism conspiracy, drug importation, and possession of weapons.
Maduro has pleaded not guilty to these charges. News of the U.S. military action in Venezuela has already led to protests in other parts of the world.
For example, in South Africa, people gathered near the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria to condemn the military action and call for Maduro’s release. There, demonstrators carried signs criticizing the U.S. for intervening in Venezuela and demanding respect for sovereignty. In Kenya, groups such as the Communist Party of Kenya and the Kenya Left Alliance have been mentioned in public discussions as having called on young people to join in demonstrations showing solidarity with Venezuelans.
While it is unclear how many people will attend the planned Nairobi protest, the presence of online calls for action has been enough for the U.S. Embassy to issue its advisory.
Because of these planned events, the U.S. Embassy encouraged American citizens and residents in Kenya to stay updated by listening to local news and following trusted sources of information. It also advised them to stay away from large crowds and avoid areas where protests might occur.
Keeping a low profile and being aware of one’s surroundings was part of the recommended safety steps.
The embassy also suggested that Americans keep in regular contact with family or friends so that others know they are safe. The embassy regularly issues alerts like these when events are expected to draw public demonstrations or could affect the safety of U.S. citizens in the country.
This alert is meant to help people plan their movements and make informed decisions about their safety.
If the planned protest takes place near the embassy, people in the area can expect more activity and perhaps a larger number of people gathering. Even peaceful protests can become crowded or tense at times, so paying attention to updates and local guidance will help anyone avoid unnecessary risk.
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