Kenya is set to send four specialized police officers to South Sudan under the United Nations peacekeeping mission, just hours after reports emerged of First Vice President Riek Machar being placed under house arrest.
The National Police Service (NPS) confirmed that Inspector General Douglas Kanja briefed the officers, who will serve with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for 12 months. The officers, drawn from the Kenya Police Service, Administration Police Service, and Directorate of Criminal Investigations, will focus on specialized duties, including anti-cattle raiding operations.
The deployment comes amid rising tensions in South Sudan after President Salva Kiir’s government reportedly ordered Machar’s arrest, sparking international concern. His party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), claimed that heavily armed security forces stormed his residence in Juba, disarming his guards.
In response, the United States has called for Machar’s release, warning that his detention could further destabilize the fragile peace. Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged all parties to uphold the Revitalized Peace Agreement and prioritize stability.
With Uganda also involved in the crisis, the situation in South Sudan risks further escalation, raising alarms across the region.