Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday issued a travel advisory against South Sudan.
This comes a day after two Kenyan pilots Captains Frank Njoroge and Kennedy Shamalla were released by their captors in Akobo, in the Greater Upper Nile region of South Sudan.
Njoroge and Shamalla were captured by rebels pledging loyalty to Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) on January 7 after a Cessna 5Y-FDC which they were flying crashed in the region.
The rebels demanded for Sh11 million as compensation for one of their own and 11 cows killed during the crash.
In a statement, Foreign Affairs CS Monicah Juma said according to the Star: “Kenyan nationals living or travelling to South Sudan to move away from and avoid travelling to areas where armed conflicts and inter-ethnic violence have occurred within the last six months.”
The travel advisory applies to parts of the Greater Upper Nile Region and in particular Bieh, Latjoor, Akobo, Jonglei.
Also Kenyan citizens were cautioned to stay away from Northern Liech and parts of Maiwut, Eastern Nile, Boma, and Yei River State.
“Kenyan nationals in other parts of the country are advised to exercise extreme caution as they undertake their daily activities,” she added.
She asked Kenyans living in the country to register with the Kenyan Embassy in Juba.
“We strongly encourage all those nationals who have not yet registered with the Embassy in Juba to do so immediately, by either visiting the Embassy or through email [email protected].”