South Sudan Embassy in Nairobi Faces Legal Action Over Four Years of Unpaid Salaries

Nine Kenyan employees seek over $300,000 in back pay amid diplomatic mission’s financial struggles

NAIROBI – The South Sudan Embassy in Nairobi is facing a major legal challenge as nine Kenyan employees have filed a lawsuit demanding more than $300,000 in unpaid wages dating back over four years.

The workers, who have held various positions at the diplomatic mission, say they last received consistent salaries in early 2016, despite some having worked for the embassy since 2012.

Court documents reveal the embassy has allegedly skipped entire months of pay and provided only partial payments during this period.

The lawsuit covers unpaid wages from April to June 2025, highlighting the ongoing nature of the crisis.

The affected employees describe the situation as “unbearable” as they struggle to support their families.

Not all Kenyan staff at the embassy chose to pursue legal action.

Some remain hopeful that diplomatic channels will resolve the matter, creating tension within the workplace.

“All of us are affected because we have families,” said one embassy employee who requested anonymity.

“Some of us who have been there for a long time understand the situation, but the nine people who have sued are the employees who came when the salary was paid without any issues.”

The employee expressed concern that only those who sued would receive payment, leaving others in financial limbo.

“What is happening is that the employees who sued the Embassy are claiming they are the only ones to be paid because they took the initiative of suing the Embassy through the court.”

The salary crisis extends beyond local staff, affecting both Kenyan and South Sudanese employees at the mission. This reflects broader financial challenges facing South Sudan’s foreign diplomatic posts worldwide.

South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, has struggled with chronic economic instability due to ongoing internal conflict and heavy dependence on oil revenues. These challenges have directly impacted the country’s ability to fund its international operations.

In response to the legal action, the embassy issued a statement on Sunday acknowledging the salary delays.

The mission revealed that its new head met with legal representatives of the affected Kenyan employees on July 3 to discuss potential solutions.

However, the embassy expressed surprise that details of the confidential meeting were shared with media outlets just hours later, despite ongoing negotiations.

The statement praised the dedication of long-serving Kenyan staff, some of whom worked with South Sudan even before independence.

The embassy reaffirmed the South Sudanese government’s commitment to resolving the issue “transparently,” though no timeline for payment was provided.

The case has reportedly reached the highest levels of South Sudan’s government, with sources suggesting President Salva Kiir is aware of the situation and concerned about its impact on diplomatic relations with Kenya.

For the affected workers, the legal battle represents a last resort after years of financial hardship.

As one staff member noted: “I’m worried we’ll ever get our rights. Someone like me has been unhappy for a long time.”

The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for how South Sudan handles similar disputes at its other diplomatic missions globally, where financial constraints continue to strain operations and staff morale.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​