Govt warns Kenyans against unnecessary travel to South Sudan

The Government has warned Kenyans against unnecessary travel to the neighboring South Sudan citing rampant insecurity.

In a statement to media houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the security situation in the South Sudan remains unpredictable and therefore risky for Kenyans.

The advisory coming a day after two Kenyan pilots arrived back in the Country from South Sudan where they were being held captive.

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma was at hand to welcome Captain Frank Njoroge and co-pilot Kennedy Shamalla who were abducted last month after their plane crashed in Akobo, in the Greater Upper Nile region controlled by the rebel in early January killing one woman and 11 cows.

After the crash, the two Kenyans were taken hostage by rebels who demanded 200,000 dollars, equal to 20 million shillings as compensation for the losses.

According to the owner of the plane Captain Godwin Wachira, demands of the rebels had been met after they reduced their amount from the initial 20 million shillings to 11 million shillings.

The Ministry is also advising Kenyans living in South Sudan to avoid traveling to areas with armed and inter-ethnic conflicts and if possible to come back home.

The ministry has singled out parts of the Greater Upper Nile Region like Bieh, Latjoor, Akobo, Jonglei, Northern Liech states, as well as parts of Maiwut, Eastern Nile, Boma states and Yei River State as places with high security risk.

Kenyans living in other parts of the South Sudan have been advised to exercise extreme caution while going about their activities.

The ministry also wants all non registered Kenyans in the conflict torn nation to register with the Embassy in Juba by either visiting the Embassy or through the email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.^[1].

In case of an emergency, the Government has advised Kenyans in South Sudan to seek assistance from the ministry by sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.^[2].