Kenyan envoy to South Sudan collapses, dies

Kenya's Ambassador to South Sudan, Chris Karumba Mburu. He died on Sunday. PHOTO | COURTESY

What you need to know:

  • Mr Mburu was a former director at the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

Kenya's Ambassador to South Sudan, Chris Karumba Mburu, is dead.

Mr Mburu, a former director at the National Intelligence Service (NIS), collapsed and died at his residence in Juba on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says.

The official cause of death had not been established by the time this story was filed.

President Uhuru Kenyatta sent a message of condolence to his family, relatives and friends on Monday, saying he was a shining star whose service to the nation would be dearly missed.

“Death has robbed us of a great public servant who served his country with distinction. Since his appointment as our envoy to Juba, Ambassador Mburu has worked hard to ensure free flow of trade and investment between Kenya and South Sudan,” the president said in a statement.

He was nominated to the post by Mr Kenyatta in July 2018 in changes made to the diplomatic service.

He was appointed at the same time as former Salaries and Remuneration Commission chairperson Sarah Serem (China) and former State House Spokesperson Manoah Esipisu (UK).