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South Sudan Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior has denied reports that she was stopped from travelling to Kenya after claims circulated on social media that security officials had blocked her at Juba International Airport.
The reports emerged on Monday, August 24, 2026, after Nyandeng failed to make a planned trip to Kenya.
Her office has now clarified that she did not travel to the airport and was not physically stopped from leaving South Sudan.
The trip was reportedly cancelled because the required presidential clearance had not been received in time.
As a senior government official, Nyandeng is required to obtain approval from the Presidency before travelling outside South Sudan.
Her office had submitted a request for the trip on August 13, but the necessary authorisation was not granted early enough for her to travel as planned.
Nyandeng had been expected to travel to Kenya for several official engagements in Nairobi.
One of the planned activities was a public lecture at Murang'a University of Technology on August 25. The visit was scheduled just days before the university's 10th graduation ceremony, which is expected to take place on August 28.
The cancellation of the trip sparked speculation online, with some reports claiming that the Vice President had arrived at Juba airport but was stopped by security officials.
Her office has strongly rejected those claims and said they were incorrect.
The clarification comes at a time when political discussions within South Sudan have attracted increased attention.
Just days before the cancelled trip, Nyandeng made strong remarks about accountability within President Salva Kiir's government during a public event in Juba.
She questioned who was currently keeping watch over President Kiir and compared the current situation with the leadership structure that existed during the time of her late husband, former Sudan People's Liberation Movement leader John Garang.
The comments attracted attention and were followed by a response from the President's office.
Despite the political discussion surrounding her remarks, there has been no confirmation that the cancellation of her Kenya trip was connected to them.
The official explanation remains that the required presidential clearance was not granted in time.
Nyandeng's planned visit to Kenya would have included engagements with Kenyan officials, students and other stakeholders.
For now, the Vice President remains in South Sudan as questions continue over when her postponed Kenya visit could take place.
The clarification has also helped settle the reports that she had been physically blocked from travelling, with her office insisting that the trip simply could not proceed because the necessary authorisation had not been received.