Kenya issues road travelling ban on South Sudan after killing of two Drivers

By Deng Machol

Juba - Kenya Transporters Association has issued travel advisory on South Sudan after killing of two Kenyan drivers, cited  increased insecurity incidences.

The association says Kenyan trucks carrying transit goods to South Sudan will offload at Elegu, Ugandan border post for security reasons.

Association advised the transporters to withdraw their services with immediate effect. 

The move is in protest of gruesome killing of Kenyan fuel tank drivers, vehicles burnt on Thursday around the Obama village and Ame junction along Nimule - Juba Highway by unknown armed men.

The oil tankers were ambushed, shot and burned inside their trucks. Two more drivers are reportedly missing after the attack. A total of 5 people were killed according to police Spokesman.

Kenya Transporters Association said “following the increase incidences of insecurity, murder and violent crimes against foreign drivers, transporters are advised to withdraw their services with immediate effect until such such time security is guaranteed.”

However, the move is expected to worsen market prices in the country as South Sudan depends on imports from Kenya and Uganda

Juba government blamed Thomas Cirilo, leader rebel group known National Salvation Front - NAS for the attack, but the NAS dismissed the accusation described it as “baseless and aimed at tarnishing the image of the Movement”.

The NAS and SSPDF has trader accusations for orchestrating the attacks.

Of recently, at least ten people were killed in three separate ambushes along the Juba-Yei road.

Despite the 2018 peace deal, the attacks on the roads are still happening across the East African's youngest nation.