A family in Nyeri is preparing for the Tuesday burial of their loved one who was killed in South Sudan.
Joseph Matu a pharmacist is said to have died of injuries from an assault by police officers for not having a license to put a patients bed in his pharmacy.
Matu is only the latest Kenyan to be killed in South Sudan. Analysts say the attacks may not necessarily target Kenyans but their enterprising spirit and go getter attitude could be making the South Sudanese who are emerging from 50 years of conflict a little edgy.
More Details
Concerns have intensified following the recent killing of Kenyan truck drivers in South Sudan, prompting the Kenya Transporters Association (KTA) to advise against using the Juba-Nimule/Yei highway due to escalating insecurity.
Recent Attacks and Casualties
In late April 2025, two Kenyan drivers were ambushed and killed along the Juba-Nimule highway, with their trucks set ablaze. Two additional drivers went missing during the incident.
This attack follows a pattern of violence against foreign truckers in South Sudan, including the 2024 killings of four Kenyan drivers and the 2023 ambush in Yei that resulted in the deaths of a Kenyan and a Burundian driver.
The KTA has urged its members to halt transport services to South Sudan until security conditions improve. They recommend rerouting goods to the Elegu border customs yard in Uganda as a precautionary measure.
Government Response and Rebel Denials
The South Sudanese government has attributed the recent killings to the National Salvation Front (NAS), a rebel group that has not signed the peace agreement. However, NAS has denied involvement in these attacks.
Broader Context of Insecurity
These incidents occur against the backdrop of ongoing instability in South Sudan, including recent clashes in Nasir between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and the Nuer White Army, which have displaced thousands and heightened fears of a return to civil war.
Implications for Kenyan Nationals
The safety of Kenyan nationals in South Sudan remains a significant concern. In addition to the truck drivers, other Kenyans have been victims of violence, such as a 28-year-old man shot during a robbery in Bor . These developments have led to heightened tensions and calls for increased diplomatic engagement between Kenya and South Sudan to ensure the protection of their citizens.
The situation underscores the urgent need for improved security measures and international cooperation to safeguard foreign nationals operating in South Sudan.
