The South Sudan Embassy in Nairobi has been closed indefinitely due to unpaid rent spanning four months, leaving South Sudanese nationals in Kenya without access to essential consular services.
Located in the Kilimani area, the embassy shut its doors on Tuesday, August 11, after falling behind on rent payments. A staff member confirmed that the closure will persist until the South Sudanese government settles the outstanding dues.
Citizens visiting the embassy for travel documents and other assistance were turned away without clear explanations, with security personnel merely stating the premises had been closed the previous day.
This is not the first time the Nairobi mission has faced such challenges. In November 2025, the embassy temporarily closed over similar rent arrears before reopening. Earlier this year, Senior Presidential Envoy for Special Programmes Adut Salva Kiir intervened by paying three months’ rent, but recent developments indicate ongoing financial difficulties.
Financial Strains and Diplomatic Implications
- South Sudan continues to grapple with severe fiscal constraints, heavily reliant on oil revenues.
- The embassy’s closure undermines the country’s diplomatic presence and inconveniences its diaspora in Kenya.
- Civil society leaders have called on the government to prioritise funding for foreign missions to safeguard South Sudan’s international image.
The closure coincides with the upcoming appointment of Ambassador Simon Juach Deng, who recently bade farewell to President Salva Kiir and is expected to assume his post in Nairobi in September.
Until the embassy reopens, South Sudanese citizens in Kenya may face significant hurdles in accessing consular support.
