The South Sudan Embassy in Nairobi has cautioned citizens residing in Kenya to stay away from the ongoing protests, warning that any involvement could lead to severe legal repercussions.
The advisory, issued on Monday, comes as Kenya struggles to contain escalating, youth-led demonstrations fueled by rising living costs, corruption, and police brutality.
“We remind our citizens that participation in protests, whether peaceful or not, is subject to the laws of Kenya. Any involvement in such activities could lead to serious legal consequences, including arrest or deportation. The Embassy will not be able to intervene on behalf of individuals who violate Kenyan law,” the embassy warned.
“We appeal to all South Sudanese to act with caution, prioritize their safety, and respect the laws and regulations of the host country at all times.”
This caution, the embassy emphasized, is not merely a formality but a measure to protect South Sudanese and strengthen diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The embassy further clarified that no South Sudanese nationals have been arrested, dismissing a false document that claimed the Kenyan Police Service had detained 19 South Sudanese for participating in a demonstration. The Kenyan police have also refuted the authenticity of this document.
The latest protests that began in June 2025 were triggered by the death of blogger and teacher Albert Omondi Ojwang while in police custody. His death sparked public outrage, adding to existing frustration over economic struggles and alleged government wrongdoings.
These demonstrations build on the momentum from 2024 Kenya Finance Bill protests, where opposition to proposed tax hikes resulted in casualties and the storming of Parliament.
Thousands of Kenyans, mostly young people, have taken to the streets in Nairobi, Mombasa, and other major cities.
Organized largely through social media, protestors are demanding an end to government corruption, police brutality, and economic policies they argue unfairly burden the poor.
The unrest intensified on Monday, coinciding with the “Saba Saba” protests, held annually on July 7 to commemorate the 1990 rallies that called for a return to multiparty democracy after years of autocratic rule under former President Daniel Arap Moi.
While many protests started peacefully, some regrettably escalated into violence, prompting authorities to intervene with tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the protesters.
