Embassy Closure Disrupts Services for South Sudanese in Kenya

(NAIROBI) – The South Sudan Embassy in Nairobi has been closed after failing to pay rent for almost a year, according to staff and media reports. The office, located at Senteu Plaza in the Kilimani area, was locked by the landlord on 7 November after arrears accumulated. The closure has stopped service delivery for South Sudanese citizens living in or travelling through Kenya.

The embassy had been paying a monthly rent of 9,000 United States dollars. At the real market exchange rate of 1 United States dollar to 7,100 South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) in November 2025, this is equal to about 63,900,000 SSP per month. Embassy staff reported that payments had not been made for close to a year.

Officials said the ambassador, Anthony Louis Kon, and other senior diplomats returned to Juba following the closure. Staff at the mission told Radio Tamazuj that the embassy could not operate until the Government of South Sudan resolves the outstanding rent balance.

Civil society representatives in Juba described the situation as worrying. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation, said the closure is damaging, given Kenya’s importance as a political, commercial and transport partner. He called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President to move quickly to restore operations.

Kenya has been one of South Sudan’s key diplomatic and trade partners since independence in 2011. The closure therefore comes at a time when the country is working to maintain regional cooperation amidst internal economic pressures.

The embassy closure follows earlier instructions from President Salva Kiir to reduce staffing at South Sudan’s foreign missions in order to manage government expenditure. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed in recent months that it was planning further cost reductions across embassies and consulates worldwide.

The closure has left many South Sudanese nationals in Kenya without access to essential consular services, including passport renewals, emergency travel documents, visa support, and authentication services required for study, employment and legal processes.

Officials in Juba have not yet made a public statement regarding when the embassy is expected to reopen or how the arrears will be addressed. Diplomats and civil society groups are urging the government to prioritise a solution to avoid long disruptions for citizens abroad.

Closure of South Sudan Embassy in Nairobi Raises Diplomatic and Service Concerns