Kenya says willing to help S. Sudan tackle economic challenges

The Kenyan government said Sunday it's willing to help South Sudan tackle her economic challenges caused by political conflict.

State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu said the gesture follows a meeting President Uhuru Kenyatta held with a visiting delegation from South Sudan this week, adding that the purpose of the meeting was to request Kenya's help.

"We can also confirm that the South Sudan delegation made requests regarding the possibility of Kenya supporting their country at this time when they are facing severe economic challenges," Esipisu told journalists in Nairobi.

During the visit, South Sudan's new First Vice President Taban Deng Gai presented an economic package program to Kenyatta.

"In response to this request, the President said that in principle, Kenya was willing to assist South Sudan to the extent that it can, but this was subject to better understanding South Sudan's needs," Esipisu said.

The meeting agreed that the South Sudanese government sends a delegation to Nairobi to deliberate on the subject.

"That delegation should include the Finance Minister, Central Bank Governor, as well as other relevant officials involved with food security, economic management and humanitarian affairs, who hopefully, would have a clear proposal outlining the needs of our northern neighbour," said the spokesman.

He said Kenya's team, led by National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich, would then "make an assessment and advice the President and the Government on how to move forward".

Despite an August 2015 peace deal, heavy fighting broke out in South Sudan's capital Juba last month, killing some 270 people and displacing thousands others, a conflict that has seen the country's economic situation worsen as investors escaped the war. Enditem