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UK fears for loved ones in Kenya UK fears for loved ones in Kenya
(about 3 hours later)
The Foreign Office has advised Britons against all but essential travel to parts of Kenya, including Nairobi city centre and some districts in Mombasa.The Foreign Office has advised Britons against all but essential travel to parts of Kenya, including Nairobi city centre and some districts in Mombasa.
It is not advising against all travel into the country, but a spokeswoman said "that could be an option" if the situation continues to deteriorate.It is not advising against all travel into the country, but a spokeswoman said "that could be an option" if the situation continues to deteriorate.
About 7,000 Britons are currently in Kenya, most of them on holiday.About 7,000 Britons are currently in Kenya, most of them on holiday.
Briton Duncan Burr said his daughter had been imprisoned in her home in Kisumu as looters rampaged. One British tourist told the BBC that cash machines were empty and both petrol and food were in short supply.
The violence that flared up after Kenya's disputed presidential election has left scores of people dead across the country.The violence that flared up after Kenya's disputed presidential election has left scores of people dead across the country.
Mr Burr, 67, a Briton now living in Spain, said he had been "necessarily worried" for his 42-year-old daughter Alison Rogers and her family. Briton Duncan Burr said his daughter, 42-year-old Alison Rogers and her family, had been imprisoned in their home in Kisumu as looters rampaged.
Ms Rogers is married to a Kenyan and is the principal of a large school in Kisumu.
"There's obviously a lot of worry," he told the BBC News website.
We are absolutely terrified to the bone because we don't know what's going to happen in the country Meera Shah Scores dead in poll clashesWe are absolutely terrified to the bone because we don't know what's going to happen in the country Meera Shah Scores dead in poll clashes
"We're still able to keep in touch and we're ringing up. I gather things have calmed a little bit this afternoon. A British tourist, who asked not to be named, is staying in Nairobi and is unable to continue her journey on to Mombasa because of the dangers of travelling.
"On the positive side, she's a committed Christian so we have the confidence that somebody else is in charge so we can leave it to them, to some extent." She said: "Petrol is in short supply, in some places non-existent.
"Food is the same. Farmers who sell produce here in Nairobi markets for the average family cannot get here, so fresh food is not available.
"No money is available as ATMs are empty. Most hotels have placed a 'polite' notice saying they are short staffed. Some staff are having to stay in hotels sleeping on floors."
However, another British tourist, Ivan Newman, is at a beach resort south of Mombasa with his family, and described the holidaymakers there as "pretty relaxed".
He said: "There's a news blackout here, the government seems to have stopped the newspapers, there's not much happening on the radio either.
"We're getting a lot of our information from the people here, mainly through texts, that they're receiving from their family and friends elsewhere in Kenya.
"We're in a very resorty sort of place here, it looks as though most of the violence is limited to the urban areas."
'Absolutely terrified''Absolutely terrified'
Kenyan Meera Shah, who is studying in London, said she was "terrified to the bone" for her family in Kisumu, where at least 43 people have been shot dead.Kenyan Meera Shah, who is studying in London, said she was "terrified to the bone" for her family in Kisumu, where at least 43 people have been shot dead.
Violence in Nairobi slums has been blamed on the presidential election.Violence in Nairobi slums has been blamed on the presidential election.
Ms Shah, 22, who came to London in October 2004, said: "Like me, there are thousands of Kenyans living and studying abroad.Ms Shah, 22, who came to London in October 2004, said: "Like me, there are thousands of Kenyans living and studying abroad.
"We are absolutely terrified to the bone because we don't know what's going to happen in the country.""We are absolutely terrified to the bone because we don't know what's going to happen in the country."
She said she had been in constant touch with her family, who all live in the "peaceful town of Kisumu", where much of the violence has taken place.She said she had been in constant touch with her family, who all live in the "peaceful town of Kisumu", where much of the violence has taken place.
"This morning, when I called my family at 0700 UK time, my mother started crying and my brother was disorientated - I got very worried.
"I called them back an hour later and they seemed OK."
She said she felt happier now that the situation "appears to have calmed down".
"It was really scary at the time," she added.
'Like Iraq'
Text messages she had received from family and friends included the following, sent on Monday: "Town is completely finished. There is a shoot on sight order. It's like Iraq.Text messages she had received from family and friends included the following, sent on Monday: "Town is completely finished. There is a shoot on sight order. It's like Iraq.
There has been widespread looting and property damage in KenyaThere has been widespread looting and property damage in Kenya
"People have no idea what to do. Town has burnt down entirely and there are no more shops to loot.""People have no idea what to do. Town has burnt down entirely and there are no more shops to loot."
The Foreign Office has urged Britons in Kenya to "stay indoors and seek advice locally" before travelling around the country.The Foreign Office has urged Britons in Kenya to "stay indoors and seek advice locally" before travelling around the country.
A spokeswoman said: "We constantly review our travel advice for individual countries and will be looking at the Kenya situation closely."A spokeswoman said: "We constantly review our travel advice for individual countries and will be looking at the Kenya situation closely."
Many of the thousands of Britons currently in Kenya are on safari or staying in beach resorts close to Mombasa, where there have also been violent clashes.Many of the thousands of Britons currently in Kenya are on safari or staying in beach resorts close to Mombasa, where there have also been violent clashes.
Holiday company Kuoni said it had scrapped local excursions from Mombasa and the capital, Nairobi.Holiday company Kuoni said it had scrapped local excursions from Mombasa and the capital, Nairobi.
Kenya receives about 290,000 visitors each year, many in January and February.Kenya receives about 290,000 visitors each year, many in January and February.