WASHINGTON, D.C., July 29, 2014 – The Peace Corps today announced that all Peace Corps Kenya volunteers have safely and successfully closed their Kenya service. Due to escalating concerns after closely monitoring the security environment in Kenya in recent months, the agency has suspended the program.

The Peace Corps will continue to assess the safety and security climate in Kenya. While the agency hopes volunteers can return, their safety and security are the Peace Corps’ top priorities.

More than 50 Peace Corps Kenya volunteers were working in the areas of education, health and community economic development. The Peace Corps has enjoyed a long partnership with the government and people of Kenya and hopes to be able to continue volunteers’ work there. Since the program was established in 1964, more than 5,155 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Kenya.