The Kenya High Commission in the United Kingdom has issued a warning to Kenyan citizens following a wave of social unrest in several UK cities.
The High Commission has advised Kenyans living in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland to stay vigilant and adhere to guidelines provided by local authorities.
Additionally, Kenyan citizens and students residing in the UK have been encouraged to register with the High Commission via the Mission’s website and to contact the embassy in case of an emergency.
Over the weekend, riots erupted with mobs throwing bricks and flares, attacking police, burning and looting shops, smashing car and home windows, and targeting at least two hotels housing asylum seekers in various cities.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened an emergency meeting of ministers and police chiefs on Monday to address the unrest.
The government will “ramp up criminal justice” to ensure that “sanctions are swift,” Starmer told the media after Monday’s meeting.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) reported that 378 people had been arrested so far, and others would be “brought to justice.”
Clashes began in Southport on Wednesday, following a knife attack that resulted in the deaths of three young girls and critically injured five more children.
Initially, false rumors spread on social media suggesting the attacker was a Muslim asylum seeker.
The suspect was later identified as 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, born in Wales. UK media reported that his parents are from Rwanda, which has very few Muslims.
Despite this, rioters targeted mosques.
Police have attributed the violence to individuals associated with the now-defunct English Defence League, a far-right Islamophobic organization founded 15 years ago, whose supporters have been linked to football hooliganism.
The rallies have been promoted on far-right social media channels under the banner “Enough is enough.”
The prime minister warned rioters on Sunday that they would “regret” participating in England’s worst disorder in 13 years.
Starmer emphasized that “criminal law applies online as well as offline.”
