Three Kenyans killed in Sudan

At least three Kenyans were killed when a lone gunman shot them in Juba, Southern Sudan following a disagreement.

The dead were two men and a woman. The Kenyan Government on Tuesday demanded an explanation with Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula saying cases of harassment of Kenyans in southern Sudan and destruction of their businesses had been reported.

“Such incidents, and particularly these murders, are clearly a threat to the brotherly and fraternal relations between Kenya and Southern Sudan,” he said.

The minister hoped that the killings are not “in any way a reflection of Government of Southern Sudan’s policy towards the Kenyan community.”

The head of mission at the government of Southern Sudan liaison office in Kenya, Mr John Andruga Duku, on Tuesday denied reports made to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights that seven Kenyans had been killed.

According to Mr Duku, the three died on the spot while two others were seriously wounded and are in hospital in Juba.

The assailant, Mr Duku said without giving details, has a military background. He could not confirm whether he is still serving or not.

The President of Southern Sudan, Mr Salva Kiir has communicated with President Kibaki on the incident.

Similarly, the Regional Cooperation minister for South Sudan, Gen Oyay Deng Ajak has called Kenya’s Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula to convey condolences to the victims’ families, said the head of mission in Nairobi on Tuesday.

President Kiir has also ordered investigations into the incident as the lone gunman remains in police custody.

“The incident is under investigation and the person who committed the crime is in custody,” a statement sent to the Kenya foreign affairs minister said.

“In light of this tragedy, the first Vice President of the Republic of Sudan and the President of the Government of Southern Sudan, Salva Kiir has ordered swift investigation,” the statement added. Mr Kiir also assured Kenyans of their security as well as that of their businesses.

About 70,000 Kenyans live and work in Southern Sudan since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in 2005. The deal ended 21 years of war pitting the largely Christian south and Muslim north.

Most of the Kenyans work with non-governmental organisations and UN agencies while others run businesses.

According to Mr Duku, the incident should not be construed to target Kenyans but as a case of criminal activity.

“The Government of Southern Sudan would like to assure Kenya this is an isolated incident,” he said.

He said there was a “misunderstanding” which resulted in “an individual person overreacting.”

Reports made to KNCHR in Nairobi indicated the friends and relatives of the victims were unable to reach Kenyan consulate officials in Juba for assistance as they had closed for the holiday.

A Kenyan who spoke to the Nation in Nairobi said his relatives counted seven bullet-riddled bodies at a mortuary in Juba on Monday.

“My daughter, Wamaitha told me they saw seven bodies,” Mr James Njoroge, said.

Police custody

Mr Njoroge said the Kenyans had gone to retrieve the body of a colleague who had drowned in River Nile in Juba.

“When our people went to the Kenyan consulate, they found it closed. A notice said it will open on January 3,” he said.

“We want Mr Wetang’ula to immediately order the re-opening of the consulate so we can get the necessary authorisation to bring our people home,” Mr Njoroge said.

Mr Njoroge questioned why Kenyans were being targeted in Southern Sudan.

On Tuesday, Kenyans in Juba were said to be planning to demonstrate over increased attacks on them.

KNCHR vice-chairman Hassan Omar said on Tuesday his organisation had been forced to intervene a number of times over mistreatment of Kenyans in Southern Sudan.