(NAIROBI) – The Embassy of the Republic of South Sudan in Kenya has dismissed as false and misleading a social media post claiming that 19 South Sudanese nationals were arrested for participating in ongoing protests in Kenya.
The embassy issued a public statement on 7 July 2025, distancing itself from the widely circulated document, which bears the appearance of an official communication from Kenya’s National Police Service.
The statement, which went viral across digital platforms, claimed that nationals from several countries including South Sudan were involved in violent demonstrations and had been arrested.
A forged press release under the letterhead of the Inspector General of Kenya’s National Police Service was used to support the claim. However, Kenyan authorities quickly disowned the document and officially labelled it as “fake” in a public clarification issued the same day.
The Embassy of South Sudan in Nairobi confirmed that, as of the time of its press release, no South Sudanese citizen had been reported arrested or detained in relation to the protests.
The mission also reassured South Sudanese living in Kenya that it is working closely with Kenyan authorities to monitor the situation and safeguard the welfare and rights of its nationals.
“We urge the public, both South Sudanese nationals and the wider public, to treat the contents of the fake statement with the contempt it deserves,” the embassy said.
It advised against the circulation of unverified claims and encouraged South Sudanese in Kenya to remain calm, refrain from joining protests, and respect the laws of the Republic of Kenya.
South Sudanese citizens were further encouraged to contact the embassy directly in case of emergencies or distress. The embassy also reminded the public to rely only on official communication channels, such as verified embassy accounts and statements from authorised Kenyan government institutions for updates.
Protests in various parts of Kenya have sparked increased public sensitivity. Foreign nationals in particular have been cautioned to remain non-partisan and avoid political demonstrations, as a measure to prevent unnecessary arrests, violence, or misunderstandings.
While the Embassy of South Sudan called for caution and responsibility, it reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the dignity and legal rights of all its nationals in Kenya.