Kiir directs gov’t to fly wounded beauty queen to Nairobi for treatment

JUBA – President Salva Kiir has offered to fly Miss Deaf Africa South Sudan Josephine Kiden to the Kenyan capital Nairobi to receive further treatment, a government official who has direct knowledge has told Sudans Post.

Ms. Kiden was shot and wounded in the arm on Wednesday evening while walking at Konyokonyo market and was rushed to a nearby hospital where she continue to receive medical assistant, according to several family members and friends.

Speaking to Sudans Post, an aide at the ministry of presidential affairs said Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin visited the one-time Miss Deaf Africa at the hospital and told the family that President Kiir has directed the government for her to be transported to Nairobi for treatment.

“I was there this morning with the honorable minister of presidential affairs and he informed the family about the decision and offer of President Salva Kiir Mayardit that he should be transported to Nairobi for better treatment,” he said.

YAKANI WELCOMES GESTURE BUT WANTS CULPRIT BROUGHT TO BOOK

In a statement to Sudans Post, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) Edmund Yakani welcomed the gesture of the president, but said that the security agencies must bring the culprit to book.

Yakani has previously called upon the government to cover medical costs for the treatment of the beauty queen and urged the police authorities in the nation’s capital Juba to exert efforts to bring the culprit to justice.

“CEPO appreciates the positive response of the government for our call for the government to help her in medical care. Congratulations to our president for demonstrating this sign of care for our   citizens especially the Miss Deaf in our current medical challenging situation,” Yakani said.

“But this doesn’t mean that the perpetrator should not be brought to justice. The police and other organized forces must work hard in order for the culprit to be brought to book so that similar situation does not repeat itself,” he added.