Kenya’s government said its ambassador to South Sudan Chris Mburu died on Sunday night after suffering a heart attack, according to Kenyan media.

According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the envoy left Nairobi Sunday headed back to Juba before the incident.

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent a message of condolence and comfort to the family, relatives and friends of Ambassador Chris Karumba Mburu.

Uhuru described the late envoy as a distinguished career public servant and a great Kenyan diplomat who was committed to building strong bilateral ties between Kenya and South Sudan.

“Death has robbed us of a great public servant who served his country with distinction. Since his appointment as our envoy to Juba, Mburu has worked hard to ensure the free flow of trade and investment between Kenya and South Sudan,” he said.

He added, “Kenya has lost a brilliant public servant whose star was shining bright and whose service shall be dearly missed".

Mburu was appointed Kenya's Ambassador to South Sudan by Uhuru in 2018.