Updated

The Peace Corps says it is suspending its operations in Kenya and pulling out more than 50 volunteers because of security concerns.

The Peace Corps said Thursday it is closely monitoring the security environment and will determine when the volunteers can return.

The decision comes shortly after the State Department reduced the number of people who work in the U.S. Embassy in Kenya, which increased the number of armed guards on site earlier this year.

Kenya has seen a spate of bombing and gunfire attacks, often carried out by Somali militants.

Nik Schuetz, a Peace Corps volunteer from 2009-2011 now at the University of Kansas, said the Peace Corps was good about providing security updates to volunteers but that some people weren't pleased with the level of security in Kenya.