Police Officer Shot Dead, Gun Stolen While Guarding KCSE Exam Papers in Turkana ‎

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Turkana County Police Commander, Samuel Ndanyi. ‎A police officer was shot dead in cold blood on Monday morning while guarding Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination papers in Turkana County.  ‎ The tragic incident occurred at Kang’atotha area, Turkana Central, where officers had been deployed to provide security during the ongoing national examinations. ‎ ‎According to police reports, the slain officer was part of a team assigned to escort and guard examination materials at a local school. Witnesses said the attack happened shortly after dawn when unknown assailants ambushed the officer. His firearm, a G3 rifle, was stolen after the shooting. ‎ ‎Turkana County Police Commander Samuel Ndanyi confirmed the incident, saying the assailants struck before other officers at the examination center could respond. “We lost one of our officers this morning while he was on official duty securing KCSE exam materials. The attackers took off with his rifle. A manhunt has bee...

𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒: 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐊𝐈𝐈𝐑 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐋𝐓. 𝐆𝐄𝐍. 𝐉𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐒 𝐊𝐎𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐒 𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐔𝐓𝐘 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄



‎President Salva Kiir Mayardit has appointed Lt. Gen. James Koang Chuol Ranley, the former Governor of Upper Nile State, as the new Deputy Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs.

‎The presidential decree was broadcast on South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) on Monday evening, ending nearly two years of vacancy in the position.

‎The office of the Deputy Minister of Defence has remained unfilled since 2023, when President Kiir transferred the Defence Ministry portfolio from the SPLM-IO to the SPLM, following the dismissal of then-Minister Angelina Teny a move that sparked political controversy and strained relations between the peace partners.

‎Although the Revitalized Peace Agreement stipulates that the Deputy Minister’s post should be occupied by an SPLM-IO nominee, the opposition group led by Dr. Riek Machar boycotted the appointment, accusing President Kiir of violating the power-sharing arrangement by unilaterally reshuffling the ministry.

‎Lt. Gen. Koang’s appointment is seen as a major political statement symbolizing President Kiir’s decision to move forward with filling critical national security positions despite the continued disagreements with his coalition partners.

‎Gen. Koang, a veteran military officer and former senior commander in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), has previously held key positions in both the government and opposition ranks. 

Before his recent dismissal as Governor of Upper Nile, he played a central role in stabilizing the volatile region amid recurring intercommunal violence.

‎Political observers view his redeployment to the Defence Ministry as an attempt by President Kiir to strengthen control and balance within the national army’s leadership ahead of the December 2025 general elections.

‎Meanwhile, the SPLM-IO has not issued an official reaction to the appointment. Analysts warn the move could reignite tensions between the two main peace partners if not handled through dialogue and consultation under the framework of the peace deal.

‎The Ministry of Defence remains one of the most strategic institutions in South Sudan, overseeing security operations, army restructuring, and the ongoing unification of forces under the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement.

‎Lt. Gen. Koang’s appointment adds a new chapter to the evolving political landscape as Juba prepares for elections amid calls for renewed commitment to the peace roadmap and full implementation of security reforms.

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