Dangers aside, the money in South Sudan attracts many Kenyans

The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in January 2005 opened a new page in South Sudan’s political and economic history.
Despite the bumpy road that lay ahead, the peace accord gave South Sudanese cause for celebration.

But they were not the only ones celebrating. Thousands of enterprising Kenyans and staff of international humanitarian organisations seized the opportunity to cross the border north of the country to South Sudan.

Even in the face of a major civil war that has ravaged the young economy, claims of constant harassment of foreign nationals and poor living standards, Kenyans who flocked to South Sudan remain unfazed.

Dr Shem Ochuodho of the Kenya Diaspora Alliance (KDA) says Kenyans living there experience hardships even in times of relative calm. “There is a breakdown of law and order in Juba,” said Dr Ochuodho who returned to Nairobi on Thursday.

Kenya Long Distance Truck Drivers and Allied Workers Union has similar complaints.

“The attacks on our members do not just happen during times of upheaval. We have lodged protests with both the ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kenya as well as the Embassy of South Sudan and both have on various occasions promised that they would look into the matter. We are frequently attacked. South Sudanese don’t respect us much yet we keep their economy moving,” said union secretary general Nicholas Mbugua.

Despite that, some would rather live in temporary shelters by the dusty roadsides than return to Kenya.

And majority of those who return to take a breather from the civil war often have no intention of doing so for long.

Businessman and preacher Paul Ngarama who fled when the fighting first broke out in 2013 packed his bags and returned as soon as there was sign of calm in Juba.

“I was not doing well in Kenya but I went to Juba and got something to do to earn a living. The economic pressure in Kenya is harder than the conflict here (South Sudan),” he said when Sunday Nation interviewed him.

His story is shared by many other Kenyans who have been evacuated in the last week after a new wave of violence broke out.

Many would rather not speak to the media and those who do want their identities changed for fear that they may be targeted when they return. For others, the international charity organisations have barred them from talking to the media.

Thomas Juma*, who works with a non-governmental organisation in South Sudan and was one of those recently evacuated, said the reason many Kenyans are attracted to South Sudan is because of the high returns one can fetch in the neighbouring country and the fact Kenyans have a headstart when it comes to experience with running business.

Mr Juma, who has worked in South Sudan for five years, said most of the country’s natives are interested in livestock rearing and have little appetite for entrepreneurship.

“You will find Kenyans doing business in virtually every major town in South Sudan,” he said, noting that the businesses Kenyans are interested in include hotels, bars, shops, construction companies and garages.

For those who work in the country like him, he said the hardship allowances and other perks are what keep them motivated to work there.

“An international worker in Kenya earns less than that,” explained Mr Juma, who said he gets a hardship allowance that is 20 per cent of his basic salary and also gets a two-week break after every eight weeks. The break allows them to spend time with their families in Kenya and unwind from the fear of war and harassment that is constantly hanging over foreigners’ heads.

Another Kenyan Henry Odhiambo* arrived home yesterday. He had taken an extra-ordinarily long route, first crossing over to Uganda then Rwanda before catching a flight to Nairobi.

“South Sudan is not a conducive and enjoyable environment but we go there because we have responsibilities and there are job opportunities there which are paying well. Despite the harassment and the conditions there I assure you that I’ll go back as soon as things cool down. We love Kenya as our country but there are no job opportunities here,” said Mr Odhiambo.

For instance, he said that depending on which job and firm one works for, most non-governmental organisations pay above $1,000 (Sh100,000) a month exclusive of benefits including housing allowance, transport allowance, education allowance, medical scheme, and insurance cover.

Besides the undocumented tens of thousands of skilled and semi-skilled Kenyan workers in various sectors of South Sudan economy, large Kenyan corporates and SMEs have also set up shop mainly in the capital Juba.

Three of Kenya’s largest commercial banks, KCB, Equity Bank and Co-operative Bank have their subsidiaries there.

KCB with its 19 branches across South Sudan controls about 50 per cent market share.

The list of other Kenyan businesses with operations in South Sudan includes national carrier Kenya Airways and its rival Fly540, insurance company UAP Holdings, East African Breweries (EABL) and CFC Stanbic Bank.

“It is a virgin economy so to speak. There are opportunities in the banking and SME sectors among others that somebody needs to fill,” Kenya Bankers Association CEO Habil Olaka told Sunday Nation.

Kenya Long Distance Truck Drivers and Allied Workers Union chief Mr Mbugua says that the reason truck drivers brave the uncertain security situation to travel the length and breadth of South Sudan is because business is good and the drivers are well paid.

“South Sudan is a young country and they depend on us (Kenyans). That is why there are many Kenyans there. When our members risk their lives to drive all the way to Juba and other towns in South Sudan, it means that the pay is good. It cannot be compared to what our members who ply the Democratic Republic of Congo route are paid,” said the secretary general.

(READ: Harrowing tales of Kenyans evacuated from South Sudan)

But Mr Mbugua says he would ask his members to take a break until things cool down.

Foreign Affairs Ministry on Friday issued a travel advisory against all non-essential travel to South Sudan until further notice.

“…due to the fluid nature of the security situation and the assessed level of risk, the Government of Kenya wishes to advise Kenyans against non-essential travel to South Sudan until further notice,” Principal Secretary Monica Juma said in a statement.

She urged Kenyans in South Sudan to urgently register with the Kenyan Embassy in Juba.

Though the government has now issued a travel advisory to non-essential visits or stays by Kenyans in South Sudan, Dr Ochuodho says it is coming too little too late.

“I am quite disappointed with the government. They don’t seem to appreciate the situation. Kenyans are in a dilemma and we have the most unhelpful ambassador (Cleland Leshore) I have ever seen. I don’t understand why we haven’t got a new ambassador. We have been waiting for so long.

Kenya needs to rethink its foreign policy stance towards South Sudan and that is not possible with the current ambassador,” he said.