US Embassy in Nairobi Issues Safety Warning Ahead of Planned Gigiri Protest

The United States Embassy in Nairobi has issued a safety advisory ahead of a planned demonstration outside its Gigiri compound on Wednesday.

In a statement released on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, the embassy said it was aware of a protest being organised via social media and scheduled to take place in Nairobi on 14 January. The demonstration is linked to opposition to a recent United States military operation in Venezuela and is being presented by organisers as a show of solidarity following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month.

The embassy said that it does not expect any disruption to normal operations, but advised caution for those in the vicinity of the Gigiri diplomatic area. It urged US citizens to follow local media reports, avoid large gatherings, refrain from participating in demonstrations, maintain a low profile and remain in contact with family and friends.

The planned protest comes amid international debate over events in Caracas, where US forces carried out a raid on 3 January 2026 that led to the arrest of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Both were transferred to the United States to face criminal charges. Maduro has pleaded not guilty to allegations including narco-terrorism and weapons-related offences.

Reports indicate that Kenyan political groups, including the Communist Party Marxist Kenya and the Kenya Left Alliance, have encouraged supporters to attend the rally. Their calls have focused on opposition to foreign military involvement and have resonated with wider regional concerns, including political developments linked to the upcoming Ugandan elections.