SPLA-IO denies government killed General Martin Kenyi

William Gatjiath Deng, the SPLA-IO Military Spokesman has denied claims that General Martin Kenyi had been killed by government troops in the Equatoria region.

William Gatjiath Deng, the SPLA-IO Military Spokesman has denied claims that General Martin Kenyi had been killed by government troops in the Equatoria region.

The statement comes after Col. Nyariji Jermilili Roman, who was a deputy spokesperson in Machar’s office, announced his resignation recently while accusing the rebel leader of failing to supply rebel forces in Equatoria with arms and necessary logistical support.

“The act endangered many of our men lives because their capacity to defend themselves was greatly affected, hence the death of Gen. Elias Lino Jada and Gen. Martin Kenyi,” he wrote.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, William Gatjiath said the statement made by Roman is untrue, saying Gen. Martin Kenyi is still alive. However, the rebel spokesman pointed out that he did not know that Gen. Kenyi was killed.

For his part, Col. Nyarji Jermilili Roman blamed the armed opposition faction led by Riek Machar for failing to announce the death of Gen. Martin Kenyi and other top generals who hailed from the Equatoria region.

Roman confirmed that Gen. Martin Kenyi was killed together with his security guard in Western Equatoria following last year’s fighting in Juba.

He pointed out that the security agencies in Juba knew what happened, claiming that they also have Kenyi’s documents in Juba. He urged the rebel group to announce the death of Gen. Kenyi.

Roman revealed that other opposition generals were also killed including Gen. Elias Jada who was killed in 2015.

Meanwhile, Lul Ruai Koang, the SPLA Military Spokesman in Juba, denied knowledge of the death of Gen. Martin Kenyi during clashes with rebels in Western Equatoria.

Gen. Martin, who is a top commander in the SPLA-IO faction, hails from Eastern Equatoria.

Photo: SPLA forces in Upper Nile/Radio Tamazuj