The South Sudanese government has strongly dismissed widespread reports that its diplomatic mission in Nairobi was shut down due to accumulating rent arrears, clarifying that the embassy remains open and fully operational. In a swift response to regional media coverage, Juba clarified that the temporary service disruptions affecting the mission were caused entirely by a localized electrical power surge, not financial delinquency.
Ministry Explains Service Disruptions
The clarification follows reports from visitors and staff stating that the embassy, located in Nairobi’s Kilimani neighborhood, turned away people seeking consular assistance. According to an official statement issued by Ambassador Apuk Ayuel Mayen, the spokesperson for South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the mission experienced a technical failure after a sudden electrical surge knocked out power to parts of the building. The outage temporarily affected server connectivity and internal electronic infrastructure required to process visas, passport renewals, and travel documents. “The embassy in Nairobi has not closed,” Mayen stated, emphasizing that specialized technical teams were deployed immediately to resolve the electrical faults and restore full capabilities. The ministry also moved to reassure the public that other overseas missions continue to function normally, dismissing wider rumors of global embassy closures.
Rejection of Arrears and External Interference
The government took direct aim at claims that the landlord had locked the gates over four months of unpaid rent. Labeling the narratives as “unverified claims and misleading reports,” embassy leadership maintained that the allegations did not accurately reflect the mission’s financial standing or operational status. Furthermore, the diplomatic mission rejected reports that it had engaged in backchannel financial discussions or arrangements with third-party political groups to sustain its administration. Officials strongly denied receiving or seeking private financial assistance, reaffirming that the embassy operates strictly under the budget and guidelines mandated by the state.
A Context of Economic Pressure
Despite the firm denials from official state channels, the reports triggered intense concern among South Sudanese nationals living in Kenya. The anxiety stems from a well-documented history of financial strain at the mission. In November 2025, the Nairobi embassy was temporarily closed following a rental dispute before operations were resumed. South Sudan has been grappling with severe fiscal and cash-flow challenges, which economic analysts largely attribute to the country’s heavy dependence on oil revenues disrupted by conflict. These broader economic pressures have periodically impacted the funding of overseas government operations and the timely remittance of expenses for foreign missions.
Prominent civil society voices, including activist Edmund Yakani, have previously warned that underfunding key foreign outposts risks weakening South Sudan’s geopolitical footprint and harming its national image. The current administrative adjustments come at a crucial transition period for the mission, as newly appointed Ambassador Simon Juach Deng is expected to take up his post in Nairobi next month officially. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs concluded its briefing by advising media organizations and members of the public to rely solely on formal government updates rather than unverified social media reports when seeking information regarding diplomatic operations.
