The Government of Kenya has issued a travel advisory warning Kenyans not to travel to several parts of South Sudan.
The warning comes hours after two pilots who were abducted in the war-torn South Sudan returned to the country on Tuesday and were received by Foreign CS Monica Juma at Wilson Airport.
“Kenyan nationals living or traveling to South Sudan to move away from and avoid traveling to areas where armed conflicts and inter-ethnic violence have occurred within the last six months,” Ms Juma said on Wednesday.
She added: “Kenyan nationals in other parts of the country are advised to exercise extreme caution as they undertake their daily activities.”
Kenyans have invested in various sectors including banking, insurance, aviation, construction, hospitality, and information and communication technologies (ICT), transportation, and wholesale and retail trade.
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On January 24, two Kenyan pilots - Captain Frank Njoroge and co-pilot Kennedy Shamalla - were abducted after their plane crashed in Akobo, in the Greater Upper Nile region controlled by the rebel in early killing one woman and 11 cows.
The pilots’ plane developed technical problems before crash landing. Already the two pilots have since been released after Sh10.8million settlement.
Hostages
After the crash, the two Kenyans were taken hostage by rebels who demanded 200,000 dollars (Sh20 million) as compensation for the losses.
According to the owner of the plane Captain Godwin Wachira, demands of the rebels had been met after they reduced their amount from the initial Sh20 million to Sh11 million.
The UAP Old Mutual, which was covering the crashed aircraft, expedited the payment for liability so as to have the two pilots released.
Speaking after receiving them, Foreign Affairs CS Monica Juma cautioned Kenyans against traveling in volatile regions, asking those doing so to be in touch with relevant agencies.