Immigration Woes Raised by South Sudanese Students in Nairobi

(NAIROBI) – A group of South Sudanese students from the University of Nairobi visited the South Sudanese Embassy in Kenya on Thursday, where they held discussions with the newly appointed Ambassador, H.E. Anthony Kon.

The students who represented the wider South Sudanese student community at the university presented a letter congratulating Ambassador Kon on his appointment as South Sudan’s Ambassador to Kenya.

The meeting was held in a spirit of unity and engagement, with students highlighting several challenges they continue to face while pursuing education in Kenya.

Key among their concerns were financial constraints and immigration related difficulties, including delayed visa renewals and limited access to funding. The students expressed hope that the Embassy would take a more active role in advocating for their welfare and strengthening communication between South Sudanese missions and students in the diaspora.

Ambassador Kon welcomed the delegation, thanking them for their thoughtful gesture and recognising their efforts to achieve academic success despite challenging conditions. He praised the students for their resilience and emphasised the importance of remaining disciplined and law abiding during their stay in Kenya.

He also urged them to be ambassadors of South Sudan’s values, both academically and socially, stating, “The future of our nation lies in your hands. We count on you to be ambassadors of peace, discipline and knowledge, not only while in Kenya but when you return to build our country.”

Kon reminded the students of the importance of unity, encouraging them to support one another and stay connected to their cultural and national identity. He called on the student body to maintain regular dialogue with the Embassy and pledged to increase the mission’s involvement in student affairs.

The Embassy reaffirmed its commitment to helping address student concerns, particularly in relation to documentation and academic challenges. It also promised to work more closely with student organisations to provide guidance and foster a stronger, more supportive network among South Sudanese students in Kenya.

Many South Sudanese students studying abroad continue to face financial challenges, especially given the limited support available at home. According to current exchange rates, the average monthly living cost for a student in Nairobi is around KES 40,000 (about 280 USD or 1,288,000 SSP at 4,600 SSP/USD). Many families in South Sudan struggle to meet such amounts due to the ongoing economic hardship.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties agreeing to continue dialogue and cooperation.