The South Sudan Embassy in Nairobi has been closed after reportedly falling four months behind on rent, leaving South Sudanese citizens in Kenya unable to access some consular services.
The closure took effect on Tuesday, August 11, at the embassy’s premises in Kilimani.
An embassy staff member told Radio Tamazuj that the mission would remain closed until the South Sudanese government steps in to settle the outstanding rent. The exact amount owed to the landlord had not been established at the time of reporting.
The closure has created difficulties for South Sudanese citizens who depend on the embassy for official assistance. Services that may be affected include the processing of travel documents, consular support and other matters normally handled by the diplomatic mission.
One South Sudanese citizen who visited the embassy seeking travel documents said he was unable to receive assistance after finding the premises closed. According to the visitor, security guards informed him that the embassy had been shut the previous day but did not provide further details.
President William Ruto and South Sudan president Salva Kiir. PHOTO/ William Ruto Twitter
The latest closure is not the first time the South Sudanese mission in Nairobi has faced difficulties linked to unpaid rent. In November 2025, the embassy was reportedly closed over rent arrears before later resuming its operations.
Earlier this year, reports indicated that Senior Presidential Envoy for Special Programmes Adut Salva Kiir had paid three months of rent for the embassy. The new closure, however, suggests that the mission may still be facing financial difficulties despite the earlier intervention.
The situation has raised concerns among South Sudanese civil society leaders, with Edmund Yakani describing the closure as harmful to the country’s image and diplomatic interests. He called on the South Sudanese government to give greater priority to financing its foreign missions so that they can continue serving citizens abroad.
The timing of the closure also adds another issue for the South Sudanese government as it prepares for a change at its Nairobi mission. Newly appointed Ambassador Simon Juach Deng bid farewell to President Salva Kiir in Juba on August 6. He is expected to take up his new position in Nairobi in September.
The embassy’s financial difficulties appear to be linked to wider economic challenges facing South Sudan.
The country relies heavily on oil revenues, leaving government finances exposed when oil production, exports or revenue collection are affected.
Cash-flow problems have reportedly placed pressure on different parts of the government, including its operations outside the country. Diplomatic missions require regular funding to meet expenses such as rent, salaries, utilities and other administrative costs.
For South Sudanese citizens living in Kenya, the immediate concern is the availability of essential consular services. Those who need travel documents or other assistance may have to wait until the embassy resumes operations or until the government provides an alternative arrangement.
The closure also puts attention on the financial management of South Sudan’s foreign missions. Embassies serve as important links between governments and their citizens abroad, making their ability to operate consistently important for both diplomatic relations and public services.
With Ambassador Juach Deng expected to begin his assignment in Nairobi next month, the South Sudanese government will now face pressure to resolve the outstanding financial issues before the new envoy takes over.
The embassy remains closed, with its reopening dependent on government action to address the reported rent arrears and restore normal operations.
