Peace Corps Suspends Kenya Program
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iStock/Thinkstock(NAIROBI, Kenya) — The Peace Corps is suspending its entire volunteer program in Kenya as a result of security concerns in the region, a U.S. State Department official announced Thursday.
The organization has been monitoring the environment in the country, along with the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.
“The Peace Corps plans to continue to monitor the security environment and reassess the security situation at an appropriate future date to determine if and when volunteers can return,” the official said in a statement. “The Peace Corps has enjoyed a long partnership with the government and people of Kenya and is committed to continuing volunteers’ work there.”
Violent attacks in the country, along with the incident at Westgate Mall in 2013 that killed at least 67 people, have raised concerns over safety.
The United States has kept up a partnership with Kenya for more than 50 years, set on improving Kenya’s economy and developing its health, education, and security sectors. The U.S. provides between $700 million and $1 billion in annual assistance, and the embassy in Nairobi will remain open and staffed for its regular operations.
“The commitment of the United States to Kenya is unwavering. We remain a strong and steadfast partner of the government and people of Kenya,” the State Department official added.
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