The issue of international security and safety for travelers has been back in the news in recent days, following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas and the foiled, threatened and unfortunately successful attacks, as sadly happened in Brussels last October 16, with the killing of two Swedish tourists.
Another problematic and fearful period lies ahead, after the nearly two years of forced or advised imprisonment by the pandemic and the return to vacations abroad, with the desire for levity and leisure, weakened, however, already last year by the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
But when the Middle East is involved, and particularly the long-standing issue between Israel and Palestine, thus between the Western world and the Arab world with the inevitable religious implications, the threshold of attention rises to the highest levels and the fear of attacks everywhere returns, especially in countries that support Israel.

THE SITUATION IN KENYA

In last Monday's editorial, I have already outlined Kenya's position regarding the conflict, (THOSE WHO MISSED IT CAN READ THE EDITORIAL HERE), but what are the real dangers for those preparing to travel to the African country or planning a vacation?

Meanwhile, it must be said that the famous "threshold of attention" on the part of the Kenyan government has been raised in recent weeks, in part because of the concurrence, on the border with Somalia, thus in areas not frequented by tourists, of sympathizers of the Somali cell of Al Qaeda, namely al-Shabaab.
In recent days Kenyan police have made several arrests of people suspected of taking part in isolated attacks in some villages in the Garissa area and Boni forest, a well-known and immense hideout of terrorists and al-Shabaab affiliates.
Also yesterday, the Interior Minister, Kithure Kindiki, published photos and names of 35 suspected terrorists who are reportedly still at large in the country (or in Somalia) and who are allegedly co-responsible for the latest terrorist events, starting with the attack on the U.S. base in Manda in January 2020.
Also popping up on the published list is a German national, born Martin Muller, who has been wanted in Kenya for eight years after converting and taking the name Abu Nusaybah, and a British citizen of Kenyan origin, Maalik Alim Jone. The Kenyan government has offered a reward to anyone who can provide credible information that could lead to the capture of the alleged terrorists.

VACATIONS STILL SAFE

The U.S. Embassy, always the most sensitive diplomatic office and also followed by other foreign representations in Kenya, last week urged its compatriots to be careful moving around the capital Nairobi. The African metropolis, like all the world's capitals, offers multi-ethnic and "Westernized" gathering places that may appeal to terrorists or even isolated lunatics, although that of the lone troublemaker is not historically a trend in Kenya.
In vacation spots, between safaris and the sea, however, the situation is quiet, and even in Mombasa, a quintessential Islamic city and a landing place for charters and flights to the coastal destination, the situation is calm. Despite a statement by Muslim associations calling on the Kenyan government to criticize Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip, there have been no street demonstrations or incidents suggesting violent protests or retaliation against Westerners. It should be noted that there is no Jewish community in Kenya that can be traced back to a place or a city neighborhood.
Inviting, therefore, caution, with healthy fatalism that is due in these times, but in a positive spirit, do not give up your vacation in Kenya or go there for other purposes.