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UK fears for loved ones in Kenya | UK fears for loved ones in Kenya |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Foreign Office has advised Britons against all but essential travel to parts of Kenya, including Nairobi city centre and some districts in Mombasa. | The Foreign Office has advised Britons against all but essential travel to parts of Kenya, including Nairobi city centre and some districts in Mombasa. |
Violence after a disputed presidential election has left nearly 100 people dead across the country. | |
About 7,000 Britons are currently in Kenya, most of them on holiday. | About 7,000 Britons are currently in Kenya, most of them on holiday. |
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has contacted President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga to express concern over the election. | |
Britons in Kenya or who have family there have been expressing their concern. | |
Briton Duncan Burr said his daughter, 42-year-old Alison Rogers, and her family had been imprisoned in their home in the opposition stronghold of Kisumu as looters rampaged. | |
Supply shortages | Supply shortages |
A British tourist, who asked not to be named, is staying in Nairobi and is unable to continue her journey on to Mombasa because of the dangers of travelling. | |
She said: "Petrol is in short supply, in some places non-existent. | She said: "Petrol is in short supply, in some places non-existent. |
"Food is the same. Farmers who sell produce here in Nairobi markets for the average family cannot get here, so fresh food is not available. | "Food is the same. Farmers who sell produce here in Nairobi markets for the average family cannot get here, so fresh food is not available. |
"No money is available as ATMs are empty. Most hotels have placed a 'polite' notice saying they are short staffed. Some staff are having to stay in hotels sleeping on floors." | "No money is available as ATMs are empty. Most hotels have placed a 'polite' notice saying they are short staffed. Some staff are having to stay in hotels sleeping on floors." |
However, another British tourist, Ivan Newman, is at a beach resort south of Mombasa with his family, and described the holidaymakers there as "pretty relaxed". | However, another British tourist, Ivan Newman, is at a beach resort south of Mombasa with his family, and described the holidaymakers there as "pretty relaxed". |
We are absolutely terrified to the bone because we don't know what's going to happen in the country Meera Shah Scores dead in poll clashes | We are absolutely terrified to the bone because we don't know what's going to happen in the country Meera Shah Scores dead in poll clashes |
He said: "There's a news blackout here, the government seems to have stopped the newspapers, there's not much happening on the radio either. | He said: "There's a news blackout here, the government seems to have stopped the newspapers, there's not much happening on the radio either. |
"We're getting a lot of our information from the people here, mainly through texts, that they're receiving from their family and friends elsewhere in Kenya. | "We're getting a lot of our information from the people here, mainly through texts, that they're receiving from their family and friends elsewhere in Kenya. |
"We're in a very resorty sort of place here, it looks as though most of the violence is limited to the urban areas." | "We're in a very resorty sort of place here, it looks as though most of the violence is limited to the urban areas." |
Mr Kibaki was officially re-elected president in the election, but Mr Odinga says he was robbed of victory by voting fraud. | |
A statement from Downing Street said the prime minister had spoken to Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga. | A statement from Downing Street said the prime minister had spoken to Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga. |
"With both he expressed the UK's concerns about the conduct of the Kenyan elections, but strongly urged both to work for unity and reconciliation. | |
"All sides should exercise and work for a solution that reflects the will of the Kenyan people." | |
'Absolutely terrified' | 'Absolutely terrified' |
Kenyan Meera Shah, who is studying in London, said she was "terrified to the bone" for her family in Kisumu, where at least 43 people have been shot dead. | Kenyan Meera Shah, who is studying in London, said she was "terrified to the bone" for her family in Kisumu, where at least 43 people have been shot dead. |
Ms Shah, 22, who came to London in October 2004, said: "Like me, there are thousands of Kenyans living and studying abroad. | Ms Shah, 22, who came to London in October 2004, said: "Like me, there are thousands of Kenyans living and studying abroad. |
"We are absolutely terrified to the bone because we don't know what's going to happen in the country." | "We are absolutely terrified to the bone because we don't know what's going to happen in the country." |
She said she had been in constant touch with her family, who all live in the normally "peaceful town". | |
Text messages she had received from family and friends included the following, sent on Monday: "Town is completely finished. There is a shoot on sight order. It's like Iraq. | Text messages she had received from family and friends included the following, sent on Monday: "Town is completely finished. There is a shoot on sight order. It's like Iraq. |
There has been widespread looting and property damage in Kenya | There has been widespread looting and property damage in Kenya |
"People have no idea what to do. Town has burnt down entirely and there are no more shops to loot." | "People have no idea what to do. Town has burnt down entirely and there are no more shops to loot." |
The Foreign Office has urged Britons in Kenya to "stay indoors and seek advice locally" before travelling around the country. | The Foreign Office has urged Britons in Kenya to "stay indoors and seek advice locally" before travelling around the country. |
A spokeswoman said: "We constantly review our travel advice for individual countries and will be looking at the Kenya situation closely." | A spokeswoman said: "We constantly review our travel advice for individual countries and will be looking at the Kenya situation closely." |
Many of the thousands of Britons currently in Kenya are on safari or staying in beach resorts close to Mombasa, where there have also been violent clashes. | Many of the thousands of Britons currently in Kenya are on safari or staying in beach resorts close to Mombasa, where there have also been violent clashes. |
Holiday company Kuoni said it had scrapped local excursions from Mombasa and the capital, Nairobi. | Holiday company Kuoni said it had scrapped local excursions from Mombasa and the capital, Nairobi. |
Kenya receives about 290,000 visitors each year, many in January and February. | Kenya receives about 290,000 visitors each year, many in January and February. |