Three Kenyans murdered in cold blood in Juba.
From : Elijah Kombo
The back page of the DN, as well as the three major media houses reported three Kenyans murdered in cold blood in Juba. Nothing so far has been speculated and with due respect, we would like to know whether our brothers and sisters are safe. Approximately 70,000 Kenyans work and live in Sudan after the CPA. South Sudan is appropriate for Kenyans for simple reasons: free life with no restrictions. In North Sudan, for example, taking beer is forbidden, as well holding hands with opposite sex in public! That makes Foreigners in NS behave. A 300ml beer is worthy Usd 10 in Khartoum, and in an underground pub – while in SS paltry 5usd in a discotheque. The life of Kenyans cannot be dictated by the restrictions.
I have been privileged to work in both North and South Sudan for approximately two years. I will note here authoritatively that the Embassy in the North is actively involved in taking good care of Kenyans in North Sudan. All Kenyans are required to register. The Ambassadors has dedicated his services to Kenyans undeservedly. Ambassador Mutua (?-cant remember his name) hosts a Kenyan bonding party during public functions. A typical example is during one Madaraka day, he invited all Kenyans to his residence – receiving VIP reception to a party where foreign dignitaries including Sudanese government official were present. The Kenyan Embassy in NS knows where every Kenyan lives. Every Kenyans are mere brothers and sisters to the Sudanese, and the friendship is well recognised in government offices. Why this cant happen in South Sudan?
In the South – there is a slight difference. I found out that the Kenyan Consular is fully of laxity in handling affairs that concern their citizens. A large segment of Kenyans work in the South as compared in the North and there welfare is not assured. While the South is predominantly Christian, and yet represent the larger conflict between neighbouring countries – Kenyan receiving the larger portion.
The border at Nadapal is a show case of laxity from both governments. Hundreds of fire arms are traded through Nadapal to Lokichoggio. The conflict between the Torposas and Kenya Turkana(?) – is live. The No Man’s land is a fertile ground that can be used for other economic activities but both governments have ignored the fact that it represents a danger for peace and security. Buying a small gun at the border will only cost Usd 300 at the border. The Immigration officers are only vigilant to deter Ugandans crossing the border. Sudanese cross the border with impunity, in the name of doing business of buying from Lokichoggio and selling to Sudan. Hundreds of Sudanese posses Kenyan identity cards – and can pass the border without a hitch from the security apparatus. The Lokichoggio airport is one serious security zone. The airport lacks facilities to detect metals, and the officers use their bare hands to screen travelers!
As much as Kenyan are peace living citizens, we also have made through the local hurdles of poor governance and corruption. Those Kenyans working out there need a responsible government that will, not only facilitate safety, but also guarantee them the right to contribute to national issues such as security etc.
Will the Kenyan government official see the reality? Both Prof Saitoti and Kanjwang have tasted what it means traveling through or to Nadapal. The No-Man land basically belongs to Kenya, and we have the muscle to secure the place and guarantee security of all Kenyans living there. If ever you will trust having a minister like Kajwang, who even interviews a plumber for a work permit in Kenya, then you will understand what kind of responsible ministers we have. I have personally seen a Somali from Bosaso acquire an identity card in a matter of weeks – it only needs between Usd 400 to 800! And lots of these is happening under the watch of the embattled lawyer Hon Kajwang. And yet if you report – it becomes mere gutter press to the authorities.
Without further kwe kwe – i would conclude by highlighting the recent ‘arms deal’ to Rift Valley in preparation for 2012. A senior NGO official hinted at a security meeting that thousands of firms arms are being transported from Sudan and Somali to Rift Valley. I was one of those who challenged the validity and authority of his statement. That was in September this year. Later, it became clear that – yes, arms are being transported as revealed by the major media houses. The issues was down-played and we no longer hear of it anymore!
How secure are we at home? One Kenyan who works in South Sudan says that we are safe in Sudan than being in Kenya. Why? By virtue that in Sudan everyone owns a gun and therefore, one is assured of security. How about in Kenyan – a certain community is armed to the teeth? Then all security assurances are down-graded to level 3.
Kenyans have suffered a lot: in the hands of Ugandans during the PEV, and subsequent Migingo problems, in the hands of South Sudanese, and in hands of Somalia – in the name of peace deals.
We wait the report from the GOSS on why innocent Kenyans were murdered and their safety was not guaranteed afterall.
KEO
Cde. Kombo,
Many thanks for the very incisive analysis of this grave matter.
Actually, the number of Kenyans killed in cold blood about 2 days ago and whose bodies were transported home I gather were 7! Apparently 5 were killed by a lone gunman who sprayed them at a shop/bar/hotel (opp. Nyakuron Cultural Centre, for those who know Juba), owned by one of the Kenyan victims. Some claim it could have been over a social-money disagreement. Another was killed in Gudelle – someone from Consulate claims by the same assailant above. The 7th, I have no info. No matter the reasons, such cases of Kenyans being gunned down are numerous and worrisome. It is like the life of Kenyans in Southern Sudan don’t count much to some people. It happens with abandon, and fast being treated as ‘normal’. The interesting thing is that the same does not seem to happen to other ‘foreigners’: Ethiopians, Eritreans, Ugandans, ‘Kawajas’ (Wazungu), etc. Even though there is a resentment against Ugandans like Kenyans, it is not to the same scale.
I am yet to understand why Kenyans are such an endangered species here, despite:-
i) having midwifed the Naivasha CPA/Machakos Protocol that brought peace to the long-drawn war, and
ii) the brunt Kenyans have had to live with, to bear with Sudanese refugees especially, during war time.
I take note that Kenya (during Kenyatta and Moi, to a large extent) never helped the ‘People’s Struggle’ (SPLM/A) as much. They seem to have gotten better support from Ethiopia/Eritrea and Uganda. Yet even after brokering peace, Kenya’s leadership does not seem to have taken advantage of the massive emerging opportunity to guarantee Kenya’s interest in this fast growing high-potential neighbour! Some say S/Sudan is today the world’s fastest growing economy! The potentials are huge: massive, very rich agricultural land (free-falling mangoes dot many places), huge tourism potential, vast untapped mineral resources (in some places people claim when it drizzles/rains, you can pick ‘gold’, yes ‘gold’ from the sand) – not to mention oil! Yet our leaders have not deemed it fit to even visit Juba; perhaps they are still dancing with Khartoum! Even Egyptian Leadership does that, but they still find value in visiting Juba! For us, the only thing Kibaki can say: the only Kenyans who are in S/Sudan are ‘thieves and prostitutes’. God; even if they were, they are your subjects; actually your employer!
We seem to have a very weak Consulate – with due respect to my good friend Amb. Eng. Dr Kiplagat (at least in terms of protecting the right of Kenyans here)! Uganda appears to be doing better in this regard! Perhaps Kenya too should consider posting a uniformed officer to Juba, like the no-nonsense Ugandan military/intelligence man! You don’t do the things that are being done to Kenyans here to Ugandan counterparts and get away with it!
This is not to downplay the fact that there is a general xenophobia towards ‘foreigners’, especially Kenyans and Ugandans! If you are involved in a road accident, for instance, you (foreigner) is guilty regardless. The traffic police contends: if you never left your country, no accident would have happened! What justice! And yet the people to protect us, are the very ones who have made ‘home’ unbearable, that some of us have to seek pastures elsewhere!
Once I was privileged to attend a very high-level govt meeting (only Ministers, Commission Chairpersons, PS’s – called Undersecretaries, and a few strategic DGs). One of the leading lady US/Chair persons asked: ‘why is it that ours is the only place where people/foreigners just come and work without work permits, while everywhere else in the neighborhood permits are required’ – to a loud applause by the audience. Forget (thanks to Kagame) now most East Africans don’t require work permits to work in EAC!
Two ministers shot up; the first said: “People, don’t forget too soon where we are coming from. These people you now call ‘foreigners’ are the ones who provided us with sanctuary. Even today, I am sure most of you people in this room have your families/relatives in their countries”. The other added: “Do not think we are over yet; how about if another bout of war broke up again tomorrow? Besides, do you recall if we were to count, you would find that even today there are more of our people in those countries than the ‘foreigners’ here? At any rate, how many of our people are ready to do some of the menial jobs we claim they are taking from our people?”. At the end of it, the hall was quiet; but to me, the damage was done. The reaction to the initial lady was the true reflection of ‘their’ feeling, if the applause was anything to go by!
A number of actions have been floated, including revenge, recall of the Consulate General, closing the Consulate for a few days, court action (I think the main assailant has been apprehended), demos (Kenyans I gather demonstrated the very next day), etc. For me, the first thing would be to call for mindset change. From the meeting above, it looked like at the Cabinet level, they know the ‘value of the neighbours’. However, the fast-growing xenophobia among the masses needs containment. The enemies of peace and good-neighbourliness can easily use it to scuttle the upcoming elections/referendum! Massive public education is needed, so that the ordinary person can see the ‘foreigner’ in the same light as the 2 ministers above!
Yet in another high-level meeting I attended, another minister remarked: as we strategize for 2011 (referendum) and beyond, we shouldn’t attempt to break all ties with the North. After all, our livestock knows no boundaries; they would still cross the ‘border’ for pasture and water. At any rate, our southern neighbours have no capacity to buy our animal products’. Sounds unbelievable and sad, but I think it is the honest truth. S/Sudan has MASSIVE potential. Well managed, it can quickly be a regional economic power house. The more reason Kenyan leadership should play a closer attention.
Visioners will recall that one of our major pillars/planks is Diaspora, and that include Kenyans in Southern Sudan. Some may recall during the Draft Katiba discourse, I suggested inclusion among the Basic Rights extension of ‘legal services/protection’ to Kenyan Diaspora as well. This is the kind of thing I had in mind, because I have seen Kenyans here vanquished like animals, and people just get away with it. It is as if you are humans of a lesser kind!
In conclusion, NVK/NVK-Mageuzi, particularly the Juba Caucus cannot let this go as-is. Apart from calling for justice for the victims and families (trial/conviction, compensation, etc), we should also demand for assurance for no-repeats, concerted effort towards mindset/attitudinal change, strengthening/recall of our consulate, extension of protection rights’ to Diaspora citizens, among others. The newly formed Kenya/Southern Sudan Association (of which a Visioner, Nd. Ogola Kagoro is Vice-Chair – unfortunately, he has no email access and is now back in ‘ingo’) too should play its part.
Bw. Juba Caucus Coordinator, Jubalites, and other Visioners, what’s your take? Perhaps at the next Caucus Meeting, this should be a major agenda item.
Best rgrds,
Shem
Hope this exchange continues. Great and incisive
Iam medical technian working for kenya medical medical research institute and would wish to visit southern sudan and yet donot no anybody.plse. advice
After reading reports of how kenyans are mistreated by citizens southern sudan Am worried about my nephews safety as we have not heard from him for over a year now which is unusual. He used to keep contact at least once a month to update us on how he was getting on. He went out there to work for UNHCR water project, we contacted them only to be told that he left the position and no longer work for them any more. We got no idea his where about but he was stationed at JUBA at the time of his contract. I would like to ask Kenyan brothers and sisters out there in Juba to contact me directly on benson70@hotmail.co.uk phone numbers 0044 7833526773 or 0044 820302
oooooooooooooooooooo i dont like kenya becouse they are not friendly to SUDAN when we do..