Hostages Escape After Kidnap in Morobo County

(MOROBO COUNTY) – A Kenyan engineer who was kidnapped last month in Morobo County has been released, local officials and church leaders confirmed on Wednesday.

Richard Matiangi was abducted on 30 July after armed men ambushed a vehicle near Bazi, around five kilometres from Morobo town. His colleague, engineer James Kariuki, was killed during the attack before the assailants set their vehicle on fire.

The two were travelling to Uganda to purchase construction materials for Holy Trinity Church’s primary school and parish renovation works when the incident occurred.

According to Isaac Batali, chairperson of Holy Trinity Parish, Matiangi was freed last week together with four South Sudanese civilians who had also been kidnapped.

“They were taken deep into the bush, walking for over seven hours before reaching the place where they were held,” Batali told media. “On 3 August, one of the captors, believed to be a rebel fighter, encouraged them to escape. They eventually made it back to Morobo and were spotted near the church during prayers.”

Matiangi later accompanied the remains of Kariuki to Kenya for burial. His travel documents, which had been destroyed during the ambush, were replaced by South Sudanese authorities to facilitate his journey.

Batali did not name the armed group responsible for the abduction. The area is known to host several factions, including the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) and the National Salvation Front (NAS), both of which have been active in parts of Central Equatoria State.

So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Morobo County Commissioner Charles Data confirmed Matiangi’s release and said the four South Sudanese youths were freed alongside him after three days in captivity. He added that security along the road had since improved, with normal movement resuming.

“The government is working to stabilise the area,” Data said.

Following the incident, interfaith leaders renewed calls for dialogue between civilians and security forces as a means to curb insecurity.

“We need stronger relationships between communities and security agencies,” Batali noted. “Dialogue remains the most effective approach to resolving these conflicts.”

Roadside ambushes remain a persistent challenge in South Sudan, undermining the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement, which guarantees the free movement of people and goods.