Kenyans stranded in warring Juba turn to social media for help
Desperate Kenyans who are stranded in Juba, South Sudan have turned to social media to appeal to the government to evacuate them as violence continues to rock the world’s youngest nation.
More than 300 people are reported to have been killed in renewed fighting in South Sudan’s capital Juba, with first Vice President Riek Machar’s spokesman saying the country was officially back to war.
The European Union has already evacuated its citizens to Nairobi.
Matters were complicated for Kenyans last week when the national flag carrier Kenya Airways announced that it was temporarily suspending its flights to Juba.
“We wish to advise our guests that we have suspended flights to Juba, South Sudan due to uncertain security situation,” the airline wrote on its Twitter account.
Fresh violence erupted on July 8 when President Salva Kiir and Mr Machar disagreed during a meeting at State House.
Their guards engaged each other in a shootout within State House precincts before the flare up spread across Juba.
The appeal.
Crying for South Sudan! I appeal to our Government to immediately expedite an emergency evacuation of our fellow Kenyans holed up in SS!
— Okutaiywa (@Buheredu) July 10, 2016
Mr.President,condolences to Mitch but we are requesting for evacuation plans from Juba South Sudan where there are fighting.
— Henry Rabote (@RaboteHenry) July 10, 2016
My cousin and other Kenyans are stuck in Sudan Itumbi, please ask GoK to send help! It's become a full blown bloody war!
— William Gachií. ⓌⒼ. (@wgachii) July 11, 2016
Also, I'm sure most countries have evacuation plans for their citizens stuck in South Sudan, what GoK is doing though is still a mystery.
— I am (@mackio_) July 10, 2016
Some have already packed but can’t leave.
All packed but no place to go, roads closed. Reports that airport closed too. #Juba pic.twitter.com/81gaefW8kW
— Josh© (@joshkariuki) July 10, 2016
Not just Kenyans.
Nigerian citizens in South Sudan have asked the embassy for evacuation. I am informed embassy officials havent been paid in three months!
— Osasu Obayiuwana (@osasuo) July 10, 2016
There has been no official confirmation on whether the government was planning to evacuate the marooned Kenyans. Except this.
.@ForeignOfficeKE and CS @AMB_A_Mohammed are working tirelessly, for the sake of security i cannot go to details https://t.co/HVm0ZaUkkQ
— Dennis Itumbi, HSC (@OleItumbi) July 11, 2016
