Kenya retaliates to UK’s “Red Listing”
Kenya has responded after the United Kingdom banned entry for visitors transiting through Kenya. In retaliation, Nairobi put a mandatory 14-day isolation and two Covid-19 tests for visitors entering Kenya through the UK.
In a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday, April 3, Kenya expressed disappointment at the UK's "Red Listing" over Covid-19 travel ban despite her (Kenya) efforts to contain the pandemic.
The Ministry said it will enforce a 14-day mandatory isolation for UK residents and visitors entering Nairobi through the UK beginning Midnight, April 9, 2021.
"All passengers originating from or transitioning through UK airports will now be required to go through mandatory 14-day isolation at a government-designed facility at their own cost upon entry into Kenya," said the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
While on isolation, they will be subjected to two PCR Covid-19 tests on day 2 and day 8 of their quarantine at their own cost, added the Ministry.
Kenyans returning home from or through the UK are exempted from the measures.
Kenya said it was disturbed by the UK "Red Listing" Kenya yet the two nations had enjoyed long-lasting relationship on health, education, security, travel and trade. Just recently, Kenya entered a pact with the UK to allow British traders to ship goods to Kenya freely for 25 years.
The Ministry regretted that the UK had ignored Kenya's vicious fight against the pandemic. Kenya read discrimination in UK's travel advisory on April 2 that banned entry into the UK for visitors transiting through Kenya. The Ministry said the travel ban was discriminatory against "certain countries and people".
It beat prevailing logic and scientific knowledge on the spreading of Covid-19 for the UK to "Red List" Kenya, said the Foreign Affairs.
"Kenya has been consistent in maintaining a positive stance towards the United Kingdom despite the challenges and disruptions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Kenya has also remained in constant contact with the Government of the United Kingdom throughout this pandemic in order to maximize opportunity for cooperation," the Ministry continued.
In May last year, Kenya sent over 300 bouquets of flowers to the UK, a move that President Uhuru Kenyatta viciously defended after it came under criticism.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry regretted that the UK ignored Kenya's performance in managing, combating and containing the pandemic which has seen it being lauded by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Kenya is currently experiencing the third wave of the pandemic
On April 2, the UK closed entry for visitors who have transited through Kenya in the last 10 days.
"From 4am on 9 April, visitors who have been in or transited through Kenya in the previous 10 days cannot enter the UK. British and Irish nationals, and third country nationals with residence rights in the UK arriving in England from Kenya will be required to quarantine in a hotel," said the UK government.
On April 3, the UK updated its travel advisory to its citizens to include Kenya's new entry rules.
