South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar is in Kenya and is expected to meet with President Uhuru Kenyatta during his stay.
The former Vice President was engaged in a series of meetings in Nairobi Wednesday among them being with a top official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Kenyan envoy to South Sudan Dalmas Otieno. President Kenyatta spent the day in Eldoret on official business.
The Nation has learnt that President Salva Kiir is expected in the country by Friday in what may seem to be follow-up talks to the Cessation of Hostilities agreement signed in Addis Ababa earlier this month.
His visit comes a week after at least ten civilians were been killed and several others wounded in a rebel assault in South Sudan’s oil-rich Upper Nile State.
Rebels linked to Dr Machar were accused of being behind the attack in Barliet County, southeast of the state capital Malakal South Sudan military spokesman Col Philip Aguer said last Wednesday.
It was the second time the rebels were accused of violating a cessation-of-hostilities agreement Mr Kiir signed with rebel chief Dr Machar about three weeks ago.
However, in a recent interview, Dr Machar maintained that he is committed to the peace deal and accused the government of violating the ceasefire.
In an exclusive interview with the Nation, former South Sudan Ambassador to the Ezekiel Gatkuoth, who is allied to the Machar faction, said the leader would not target civilians.
Mr Kiir sacked Dr Machar from his position as Vice President in July 2013 along with all his cabinet. In December, fighting erupted in the oil-rich country and thousands of lives have since been lost.
