Situation too chaotic now for Kenya trip

The U.S. Department of State has many duties. Of interest to travelers is the State Department's authoritative knowledge of hazardous situations, potential or actual, in other countries. As conditions warrant, the agency issues travel alerts to warn Americans from straying into dangerous places abroad. Currently, 28 nations are on the travel-alert list. One of them is Kenya.

We mention this in light of the Dixon Sister Cities Association's proposed visit to Thika, Kenya, next month. Twelve people from the Sauk Valley have been planning to visit the association's newest sister city ever since representatives of the East African nation came to Dixon last year.

We believe the Sister Cities movement is laudable. We're pleased Dixon has reached out to a city in Africa to continue its work of people-to-people diplomacy. It would make former President Dwight Eisenhower, a supporter of such efforts, proud.

However, we do not believe even Eisenhower, a veteran of two world wars, would support the idea of citizen diplomats putting themselves in harm's way for the good of the cause.

The news from Kenya is alarming. Violence continues in the wake of the disputed Dec. 27 election. The death toll Monday had reached 486. Others have been wounded, with about 255,000 people displaced from their homes for fear of their lives.

The latest outrage happened at the border with Uganda, where attackers threw 30 Kenyan refugees into the deep, swift-flowing Kipkaren River. All drowned.

Roving bands of attackers, armed with machetes, hammers and sticks, have wreaked deadly havoc. Many women have been raped and beaten, according to reports.

The chief U.S. envoy for Africa, Jendayi Frazer, believes Kenya's election was rigged, but said the parties of President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga both could have been responsible.

Few outsiders would dare venture into this chaotic situation. Already, thousands of tourists have canceled travel plans.

We're not saying the Dixon delegation also should immediately cancel its travel plans. What we are saying is the group should not feel obligated to blindly adhere to its Feb. 23-to-March 7 travel schedule if order hasn't been restored by then.

The State Department's travel alert issued Dec. 31 states it succinctly: "U.S. citizens should strongly consider the risks of travel to Kenya at this time. The situation in Kenya is volatile and subject to change. ... There have been reports of widespread violence, demonstrations and looting in Nairobi and throughout Kenya. ... Americans in Kenya can expect airport closures; a large police presence; food shortages; cash shortages at banks and ATMs; sporadic telephone, cell phone and Internet service; and possible news blackouts."