The photo shows vehicle burned to ashes along Morobo-Kaya Road
JUBA – A Kenyan civil engineer, James Karigi, was killed on Thursday morning in a deadly ambush along the Morobo-Kaya Road, a local official confirmed.
Mr. Karigi was travelling with a fellow Kenyan national to Kaya at approximately 8:00 AM when their vehicle was attacked by unknown gunmen.
The two engineers had been contracted by the Don Bosco Catholic Diocese of Morobo to undertake construction work at the new St. Charles Lwanga School.
The ambush, which occurred in a volatile stretch of the Morobo region, also involved two motorcycle riders believed to be accompanying the engineers.
Their whereabouts remain unknown at this time, alongside Karigi’s Kenyan colleague, whose fate is yet to be confirmed.
Charles Data Bullen, Morobo County Commissioner, told Sudans Post that the attack carried out by armed men left several others missing.
“The whereabouts of the others remain unknown. We cannot confirm the exact number of people missing,” Data said.
Data disclosed that the vehicle Kenyan engineers were traveling in and the accompanying motorcycle were burned to ashes.
He said the security forces are currently pursuing the attackers.
The commissioner added that one of the attackers was reportedly killed during a brief exchange of gunfire, adding the deceased was allegedly identified as a known member of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO).
Data accused SPLA-IO elements of orchestrating the ambush, citing the ongoing insurgency in the Morobo.
“During the clashes I think our forces of SSPDF hurried to the incident site, and they managed to exchange fire with the perpetrators, and they managed to kill one of the IO soldiers,” he stated.
“For the last two months, civilians have been caught in the middle. Just days ago, two people were killed in another ambush at 25 miles.”
He urged travelers to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity along key transit routes.
“The people of Morobo deserve peace. We are calling on the national leadership to help end this cycle of violence.”
The commissioner called on the national government to intervene as insecurity has continued to rock the county.
“We are asking the high government to intervene so that they bring peace into Morobo,” he said.
Morobo County has seen a surge in violence and insecurity over recent months, with repeated ambushes, abductions, and attacks on civilians and humanitarian workers.
On July 25, a staff member of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) was abducted from an MSF ambulance in Morobo. On June 21, armed men believed to be from the opposition attacked Morobo Hospital, looting medical supplies and setting ambulances ablaze.
In April, nearly 2,000 residents were displaced following violent clashes between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO forces.
