UK HOKIDAYS TO KENYA ON HOLD !

Some 7,000 people from the UK are already on holiday in Kenya. All of the UK's major tour operators have suspended holidays to Kenya for the next two days, the Federation of Tour Operators has said. Operators began cancelling flights following Foreign Office advice that people should only take essential journeys to the East African country.

More than 300 people have been killed in Kenya and at least 70,000 driven from their homes since Sunday. The crisis flared after claims of vote rigging in the presidential election.

The Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) is also assessing the need to make alternative travel arrangements for 7,000 Britons who are already on holiday in Kenya. If you are currently in Kenya you should exercise extreme caution and seek advice locally either from your tour operator or the local authorities, particularly if you need to travel.

The Foreign Office had advised people to avoid all but essential travel to certain parts of Kenya following violence that erupted on 27 December.

But on Wednesday night this advice was extended to the entire country. It also recommended that anyone already in Kenya should "exercise extreme caution". The Foreign Office said on its travel advice website: "We advise against all but essential travel to Kenya.

"There is uncertainty about the security and political situation in the country especially in light of the massed rallies planned for 3 January and continued unrest linked to the disputed presidential election result. "If you are currently in Kenya you should exercise extreme caution and seek advice locally either from your tour operator or the local authorities, particularly if you need to travel."

It said travellers should check the site for up-dates. But Frances Tuke of the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) said people holidaying in Kenya should be safe despite the unrest, as long as they were far from the trouble zones and were careful. She told BBC News 24: "If people are out there on safari it's well away from the problem spots and so their holidays are going on as normal.

"Down in the beach resort most people are staying in their hotels and they are being advised to do that and going ahead with their holidays with extreme caution."

Long-haul specialist Kuoni said the 209 people on the firm's holidays in the country were all safe and well and none had asked to come home. It also said people due to travel within the next 48 hours would be offered alternative holidays or refunds.

A Kuoni spokesman said: "Should we not be able to find a suitable alternative holiday, then free-of-charge cancellation will be allowed."
BBC NEWS REPORT.