The Government of the Republic of Kenya has learnt with regret and deep sadness the killing of three Kenyan nationals in cold blood by an SPLA soldier in Juba, Southern Sudan on the night of 28^th December, 2009. 

The Government condemns this totally reprehensible act and wishes to recall with disappointment that there have been reported cases in the recent past of harassment of Kenyan nationals in Southern Sudan, and destruction of their business premises. Such incidents and particularly yesterday’s murder of the three Kenyans are clearly a threat to the brotherly and fraternal relations that so happily exist between the people of Kenya and the people of Southern Sudan.

The Government of the Republic of Kenya feels and shares in the anguish and deep sense of loss felt by the families of the deceased over this tragic incident. The Government of Kenya therefore urges the Government of Southern Sudan to investigate this act of extreme violence and murder, with a view to explaining the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident and bringing the perpetrator to justice without delay. 

The Government of the Republic of Kenya notes that many Southern Sudanese lead very peaceful lives in Kenya under the protection of the Kenyan Government and therefore seeks a firm assurance that the killings are not in any way a reflection of Government of Southern Sudan’s policy towards the Kenyan Community in Southern Sudan. 

The Government of Kenya urges the Government of Southern Sudan to extend the same protection to all foreign nationals resident in Southern Sudan in general, and the Kenyan Community in particular, and to ensure that similar incidents do not recur in the future. 

MOSES M. WETANG’ULA, EGH, MP

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS