The government of South Sudan has alleviated fears of tension with a promise to continue guaranteeing the security of foreign nationals living in the country.

This follows an incident where one South Sudanese national died and four others were left fighting for their lives in a hospital in Nakuru after being set ablaze by an angry mob, who accused them of attempting to sexually assault a neighbour over the weekend.

Following this, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Ambrose Raphael Tamania Hirifugo, stated that no retaliatory attack against any citizen would take place while the government was watching.

The five – Ajang Chol Ajang, Akuien Chol Ajang, Garang Chol Ajang, Guor Anya Guor, and Bul Garang Bul, all in their 20s – suffered serious burn injuries after their rented house at Mawanga estate was set alight by the mob.

Kut Maketh Duk, the leader of the South Sudanese community in Nakuru County, confirmed on Monday that one of the five, Garang Chol Ajang, died while receiving treatment at Nakuru Specialist Hospital.

“It is a sad day that we have lost one of the young men, Garang Chol Ajang, who sustained burn injuries in the incident.

Mr. Duk told the Nation that Ajang Chol Ajang, who is being treated at the Nakuru Nursing Home hospital, is in critical condition.

The senior official said South Sudan Ambassador in Kenya informed the ministry about what transpired over the weekend in Magawa Estate in Kenya and said the government had directed the ambassador to get the real facts of the incident and update the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Amb. Tamania said the incident that transpired in Nakuru, Kenya, is an isolated incident and should be treated as such.

He added that the two governments of Kenya and South Sudan have had concrete and long-standing bilateral relations, and they will still continue to maintain this relationship.

The Spokesperson said it is unfortunate that one South Sudanese perished and added that the incident is isolated and will be treated as such.

He further said the two governments are closely working together to get to the root cause of the incident and added that the matter is under investigation by the Kenyan Police.

A nurse attending to three of the victims at Nakuru Level Five Hospital said the patients were in a stable condition despite the high-degree burns on their bodies.

“They sustained serious burn injuries ranging from 30-60 per cent, and we are trying to manage the burns. Meanwhile, the three are in a stable condition,” said the nurse.

A report made at the Teachers Police Post showed that the five were attacked on Friday night when a mob accused them of attempting to physically assault a woman in their neighbourhood.

“On Friday night at around 10 p.m., the Sudanese nationals tried to seduce a woman in their neighbourhood. Following that, enraged residents stormed their home and set it on fire with gasoline.” the incident, five South Sudanese nationals sustained serious burn injuries and they are undergoing treatment at various hospitals,” reads the report.

Probe launched

Police said they were pursuing the suspects who set the house ablaze.

“We have launched investigations into the incident and we will arrest those involved in the ordeal,” said Nakuru East sub-county police Commander Elena Kabukuru.

Mr Duk urged the police to expedite their investigations and arrest the perpetrators.

“I call on investigative agencies to move swiftly, investigate and arrest those involved in the arson attack. The incident is totally unacceptable and unfortunate,” he said. 

“Meanwhile, I urge members of the Sudanese community in Kenya and in South Sudan to remain calm as investigative agencies handle the matter.”

On Monday morning, a representative of the South Sudanese Embassy visited the scene of the fire.

The Nakuru Human Rights Network, through its Director David Kuria, also condemned the incident, terming it unacceptable and unfortunate.

“A crime is a crime and I regret what happened. I strongly condemn the arson incident and l want to urge law enforcement agencies to move swiftly and investigate the matter,” Mr Kuria told the Nation.