South Sudan Embassy in Nairobi Closed Over Unpaid Rent Of Four Months

Nairobi, Kenya – Diplomatic relations faced an embarrassing setback this week as the South Sudan Embassy in Nairobi was forced to close its doors following a reported four-month default on rental payments.

The mission, located at Kilimani district, was locked on Tuesday, August 11, according to an anonymous staff member who confirmed the development to local media outlets. The closure effectively halts all consular operations, leaving hundreds of South Sudanese citizens in Kenya without access to essential government services.

According to sources within the diplomatic mission, the premises will remain inaccessible until the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Juba intervenes to clear the outstanding financial obligations to the landlord.

Citizens Left in Limbo

The immediate impact of the shutdown has been felt by members of the South Sudanese community in Kenya. One frustrated citizen, who had visited the embassy to process urgent travel documentation, reported being turned away by private security guards.

“I was not given a clear explanation for the closure. The security personnel only told me that the embassy had been shut the previous day,” the visitor said.

This disruption comes at a critical time, as South Sudanese nationals now face significant hurdles in acquiring passports, visas, and other consular assistance that are only available through the diplomatic channel.

Recurring Financial Struggles

This is not the first time financial constraints have crippled the Nairobi mission. In November 2025, a similar rent arrears issue led to a temporary suspension of services before operations eventually resumed.

Earlier this year, there was a brief reprieve when Senior Presidential Envoy for Special Programmes, Adut Salva Kiir, reportedly covered three months of rent to keep the embassy afloat. However, the latest closure suggests that the underlying financial instability has not been resolved, raising questions about the government’s ability to sustain its foreign missions.

Calls for Government Intervention

Civil society leaders are speaking out against the situation, warning that the closure harms South Sudan’s international reputation.

Edmund Yakani, a prominent civil society activist, condemned the development, stating that it reflects poorly on the country’s diplomatic priorities. He urged the transitional government to immediately allocate funds for its embassies to prevent further damage to national prestige and to ensure the welfare of its citizens abroad.

As of now, there has been no official statement from the South Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the closure or a timeline for reopening.

For the thousands of South Sudanese living in Kenya, the uncertainty means delays in legal documentation and a suspension of the limited diplomatic support available to them.