SPLA-IO troops have released about 25 Kenyan aid workers detained in the rebel-controlled areas in South Sudan over the weekend, a military spokesman for the rebel group said.

The arrest was in retaliation to Kenyan government’s decision to deport Machar’s spokesman James Gatdet Dak to Juba last week.

William Gatjiath Deng, military spokesman of the SPLA-IO, told Radio Tamazuj yesterday that they had arrested 25 Kenyan aid workers in areas under their control following Gatdet’s deportation to Juba, but they were later released after receiving directives from Machar.

“Our forces arrested Kenyan aid workers in Akoba, Nasser and other areas, because we do not want them in our areas, we see them as enemies, but Dr. Riek Machar ordered us to release them,” said William.  

He pointed out that Machar told them that the people of Kenya are not a party to the misunderstanding that occurred between the SPLM-IO and the Kenyan government over Gatdet’s deportation to Juba.