It “Is False” Foreign Affairs on the Release of Four Kenyans in Juba

Foreign Affairs Ministry has refuted claims that the government had brokered a deal to release four Kenyans jailed in Juba, South Sudan,  for allegedly stealing 14 million U.S. dollars in the president’s office in 2015.

A post on Foreign Affairs Ministry’s twitter handle said information about their release on Tuesday said: “ is false” and that Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Monica Juma was in South Sudan to receive them.

Reports appearing in a section of the Kenyan press alleging that Ministry of Foreign Affairs PS Monica Juma has travelled to Juba to secure release of four Kenyans held in South Sudan jail is false.

— ForeignAffairsKenya (@ForeignOfficeKE) December 5, 2017

Met and held talks with President Salva Kiir at State House. Kenya will continue to play a leading role in the efforts to find lasting peace in South Sudan. pic.twitter.com/nkRwUbTdgI

— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) November 29, 2017

Boniface Chuma, Ravi Ghaghda, Antony Keya and Anthony Mwadime were arrested on May 29, 2015.

They were charged with various offences related to financial misappropriation and given 72-year jail sentences.

Last year, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights challenged the arrest and detention of the four sentenced to life imprisonment stating that it was oppressive and a violation of their rights contrary to the Constitution of Kenya, that of South Sudan and international laws.

The four are former employees of a company known as Click Technologies limited owned by John Ogou, a politician and brother-in-law of South Sudan President Salva Kiir.