President Salva Kiir in Kenya for talks on South Sudan elections and Lamu refinery

Nairobi, Kenya - South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit arrived in Nairobi on October 5 for high-level discussions with President William Ruto. The agenda centered on South Sudan's upcoming December 22 elections and the country's potential role in supplying crude oil to Kenya's planned Lamu refinery. This marked Kiir's first known foreign visit since the dissolution of South Sudan's Transitional Government of National Unity and the formation of a caretaker administration.

Upon his arrival, Kiir was greeted by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku and officials from the South Sudan Embassy. Discussions between the two leaders were expected to cover bilateral relations, electoral preparations, and efforts to garner regional and continental support for a smooth and credible election process. The African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and other partners have endorsed South Sudan's political transition and poll preparations.

Economic cooperation, particularly in the context of the Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Special Economic Zone in Lamu, was also on the table. South Sudan is being considered as a potential regional crude oil supplier for the refinery, which aims to serve markets across East and Central Africa. Kenya, which has previously supported South Sudan's peace and political processes, including through the Tumaini Initiative, sees this visit as a chance to deepen its economic ties with Juba.