CS Amina Mohamed says some Kenyans in Juba already heading to Kampala Read

Thursday, December 19, 2013

advertisements

The Government has begun evacuation of Kenyans trapped in fighting among army factions in South Sudan and allayed fears over their security in Juba.

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed said four Kenyans sustained injuries during the sporadic gunfire adding that all of them have been treated and discharged from hospitals.

Speaking to the Press in Nairobi Wednesday, Ms Mohamed said a number of Kenyans had been evacuated and were en route to Kampala but maintained that normalcy was slowly returning to the newly independent nation.

Mohamed said two buses carrying Kenyan citizens only and 13 others carrying Kenyans and other nationals had crossed into Uganda.

“They have already crossed the border and are headed to Kampala,” confirmed the Foreign Affairs boss. CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS “From there, the Kenyan Embassy will facilitate their return to the country so that they can celebrate Christmas with their families,” she said.

However, anxiety persisted among families of those living and working in South Sudan. “We ask the Government to move faster and help our people living across the border,” said Margaret Oballa, sister to Evelyne who is trapped in Mabania, a few kilometres from Juba.

A Kenyan expatriate holed in South Sudan, in the United Nations Security Council base a few kilometres from Juba, confirmed there were no gun shots heard unlike the last three days. Ms Oballa who works for Veterinary Sans Frontiers told The Standard on phone that Mabania town near Juba was calm but most people still wanted to travel back to Kenya. “We have been told there are two chattered planes coming to Juba despite the cancellation of flights in and out of South Sudan to carry those going to Kenya,” said the medical expert.

She said some non-governmental organisations had resumed work despite fear and despondency among some people. There were 20 Kenyans in the area who wanted to travel back home but there were no flights taking off. Amina also revealed that Juba International Airport had reopened and Kenyan airlines Fly540 had gone to Juba and back.
Read more at: http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000100399&story_title=cs-amina-mohamed-says-some-kenyans-in-juba-already-heading-to-kampala&pageNo=2

Mohamed, however, dismissed speculation that Kenya was supporting former Vice President (VP) Riek Machar. She said the former VP was not hiding in the Kenyan embassy in Juba and has not set foot on Kenyan soil. CURRENT GOVERNMENT “We are supporting the Government that is in place in South Sudan. We have not taken sides and we will not take sides,” Mohamed emphasised. She said regional leaders through Intergovernmental Authority on Development were keen to ensure that anarchy does not return to the young nation. The regional leaders are monitoring the situation and are in discussions. I will give you additional information tomorrow or the day after tomorrow,” she promised. Mohamed confirmed there are about 25,000 Kenyans in South Sudan, but they would not be forced to return to Kenya. Reports from the United Nations security revealed there were at least 16,000 people from various nationalities still camping at their bases in Juba and other bases in South Sudan.

Home
Email

Hiiraan Online