NAIROBI, Kenya – The South Sudan Embassy in Nairobi has urged citizens living in Kenya to regularise their stay by ensuring they have valid passports, visas and other required immigration documents.
South Sudan’s Ambassador to Kenya, Simon Juach Den, said nationals staying in Kenya for more than 90 days should apply for an extension to avoid violating the country’s immigration requirements.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, October 7, Den warned that those who fail to extend their stay could face difficulties with Kenyan police and immigration authorities.
“If you stay more than 90 days, you are required to extend your stay. Because if you don’t extend your visa stay, you will be staying illegally in Kenya and you would have issues with the police and the other law enforcement agencies like the immigration,” Den said.
South Sudan Seeks Easier Visa Extensions
Den said the South Sudanese government was engaging Kenyan authorities to establish more streamlined procedures for nationals seeking to extend their stay.
He said particular attention was being given to mothers and guardians accompanying students in Kenya.
“We are working closely with the Kenyan authorities to find ways for people to easily extend their stay, especially their mothers or guardians, I would say, who are here with the students,” he added.
The ambassador said the measures were intended to strengthen relations between the two countries while ensuring South Sudanese citizens comply with Kenya’s immigration requirements.
More Than 213,000 South Sudanese In Kenya
Data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) shows that Kenya hosts more than 213,000 South Sudanese nationals.
The majority are refugees and asylum seekers, with more than 94 per cent residing in the Kakuma and Kalobeyei settlements.
About 4.1 per cent are integrated into Kenyan communities in metropolitan areas, including Nairobi and Nakuru.
Regional Immigration Rules Under Spotlight
The announcement comes amid increased attention to the documentation status of foreign nationals across East Africa.
Burundian nationals in Kenya were recently caught off guard after President William Ruto announced a 90-day registration and documentation window for undocumented Burundian citizens and other East African Community nationals living in the country.
The move attracted criticism from some quarters.
South Sudan has also introduced measures affecting foreign nationals operating small businesses in the country.
The directive restricted nationals from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Burundi from operating certain small-scale retail businesses in South Sudan.
