The Kenyan government has formally raised concerns with South Sudan over the detention of a Kenyan citizen who has reportedly remained under house arrest for more than eight months without being formally charged in court.
The issue was raised on Tuesday, July 7, by Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei during a meeting with South Sudan's Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of South Sudan, Ambassador Barnaba Bol Nyuol.
During the meeting, Sing'Oei said Kenya expressed concern over the welfare and treatment of its citizens living and working in South Sudan, with particular focus on the case of Timothy Maina Nderi.
"During our discussions, I conveyed the Government of Kenya's concern regarding the welfare and treatment of Kenyan nationals in South Sudan. In particular, I raised the case of Mr Timothy Maina Nderi, who has reportedly remained under house arrest for the past eight months without formal judicial charges," Sing'Oei said.
The Principal Secretary also revealed that officials from the Kenyan Embassy in Juba have repeatedly been denied consular access to Nderi despite making several formal requests to the South Sudanese authorities.
According to Sing'Oei, access to detained citizens is a fundamental diplomatic obligation that allows governments to monitor the welfare of their nationals, ensure their rights are respected and provide necessary consular assistance.
"I also expressed concern over the continued denial of consular access to officials from the Embassy of Kenya in Juba, despite repeated formal requests," he added.
While the Kenyan government did not disclose the circumstances that led to Nderi's detention, Sing'Oei maintained that prolonged detention should only occur after formal judicial charges have been filed through the appropriate legal process.
Kenya also used the meeting to raise growing concerns over the safety of Kenyan truck drivers operating in South Sudan following reports of increasing insecurity along major transport corridors.
According to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Kenyan drivers have reported incidents of armed attacks, robbery, extortion, harassment and intimidation while transporting goods across South Sudan. The concerns were brought to the government's attention by the Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association (LoDDCA).
Sing'Oei highlighted the case of a Kenyan truck driver who was allegedly assaulted by South Sudanese security personnel along the Juba–Nesitu Road. The driver is reportedly receiving treatment in hospital after sustaining critical injuries during the attack.
The Principal Secretary called on the South Sudanese government to urgently address the reported incidents and take appropriate measures to safeguard the safety, dignity and rights of Kenyan citizens living and working within its borders.
The diplomatic intervention comes amid renewed calls for stronger protections for Kenyan workers, traders and transporters operating in South Sudan, where cross-border road transport remains vital to trade and economic cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.