(JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit travelled to Kenya on 4th October 2026 for high level bilateral talks with Kenyan President William Ruto, expected to focus on South Sudan’s upcoming elections, regional stability and economic cooperation.
The visit is Kiir’s first trip to Kenya since the dissolution of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity. It comes as South Sudan prepares for general elections scheduled for 22nd December 2026.
Presidential Press Secretary Ambassador Arek Ajou Deng said the discussions with President Ruto are expected to address South Sudan’s electoral preparations and measures needed to ensure peaceful, credible and successful elections.
“Today, His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit is travelling to the Republic of Kenya for high level bilateral meetings with his counterparts,” Arek told media on 4th October at Juba International Airport.
She said the two leaders are expected to discuss broader regional and continental support for South Sudan’s electoral process, amid concerns over the security and political environment surrounding the polls.
“The meetings are aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two neighbouring countries. This visit is President Kiir’s first visit following the dissolution of the government, as South Sudan paved the way to its first electoral elections on 22nd December 2026,” she said.
Arek said the meeting will focus on economic and infrastructure cooperation, including the recent launch of a refinery project in Kenya’s coastal Lamu region.
“The two sides are also expected to discuss matters around economic and infrastructural cooperation, including the recent refinery launch in Lamu last week and the respective roles that South Sudan and Kenya will be playing in supporting the operation of the refinery,” she said.
She added that “the engagement reflects the importance of closer economic cooperation and the development of strategic regional infrastructure for the mutual benefit of both countries and the region at large.”
Arek said the two leaders are also expected to discuss their respective roles in supporting the refinery’s operations, as well as opportunities to strengthen trade, transport and energy cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
She said Kiir is also seeking broader regional and continental support for South Sudan’s planned December elections as he engages neighbouring countries and regional leaders.
“The visit is also an opportunity to coordinate broader regional and continental support for South Sudan’s elections,” she said.
“As highlighted last week during the AUC5 meeting, the security and the success of elections in South Sudan are vital not only for our country but also to the stability of the East African community, the Horn of Africa, and the entire continent.”
She said Kiir’s visit reaffirms South Sudan’s commitment to regional cooperation, commitment to peaceful elections, and constructive engagement with neighbours and the international community.
The visit comes amid efforts to deepen strategic regional infrastructure links, including projects connecting South Sudan to Kenya and the wider East African market.
Kiir’s trip to Nairobi is his first visit to Kenya since the dissolution of the transitional government and comes at a critical stage in South Sudan’s preparations for the December elections.
The Office of the President of South Sudan confirmed in a statement dated 2nd September 2026 that Kiir signed the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (Amendment No 13) 2011, clearing the legal path for elections on 22nd December 2026.
The amendment removed the requirement for a national census and the permanent constitution process to precede the vote, which had been a key legal obstacle to holding elections.
The Office of the President said the process began with a meeting of the expanded presidency and party leaders on 10th December 2025, followed by cabinet review, scrutiny by the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, and approval by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.
The assembly passed the amendment on 1st September 2026, and Kiir signed it into law the following day, according to the Office of the President.
China Global Television Network reported in September 2026 that South Sudan has repeatedly postponed elections since independence in 2011. The most recent delay came in 2024, when the transitional government and opposition agreed to extend the political transition period and set elections for December 2026.
The report noted that while the legal obstacle has been removed, major challenges remain, including election body preparations, funding and the political and security environment.
While in Juba, Kiir was seen off at Juba International Airport by the Caretaker Minister of Presidential Affairs Africano Mande Gedima and other cabinet ministers.
Kiir was received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku, alongside South Sudan’s embassy staff led by Ambassador Simon Juach Deng.
Trading Economics data shows the South Sudanese pound has lost about 25.10% of its value against the US dollar over the past 12 months.
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