Forex bureaus refuse to change Sudanese pounds for shillings

A man walks past a forex bureau in Nairobi’s Central Business District. Few of these bureaus trade in Rwanda Francs. Photo/File 

In Summary

• He said he went to most bureaus in Nairobi but they could not exchange the Sudanese pound, saying that the money could not be accepted outside the conflict-torn nation.

By JULIUS SIGEI
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Thousands of Kenyans evacuated from South Sudan are facing a currency crisis as it has become difficult to exchange the country’s pounds for shillings.

More than 20,000 Kenyans have returned home but their situation is even worse as they do not have money.

For instance, the Rev Paul Kimani who was running a church in Nyakron, Juba, said when the clashes erupted he managed to leave the country with 3,000 pounds (Sh75,000) but he cannot exchange the money in Kenya as all the foreign exchange bureaus do not want the Sudanese currency.

“I could not wait for the government evacuation so I managed to get a car which took me to the Ugandan border then to Malaba border. I left everything and the only thing I managed to escape with are the pounds,” said the Rev Kimani.

He said he went to most bureaus in Nairobi but they could not exchange the Sudanese pound, saying that the money could not be accepted outside the conflict-torn nation.

“We thank the government for evacuation but we have no money to spend,” said the clergyman as he asked the government, through the Central Bank, to help them exchange the money.

“We have families with needs, children are going back to school next week, they need fees and everything.”

Ms Jedida Wambui, who was running a clothing business in Juba, said she had 2,000 South Sudanese pounds but, like the Rev Kimani, she cannot exchange the currency for shillings at the bureaus.

“The money is worth Sh50,000 but it is hard to exchange it in the country. My family needs food and I am renting so I really need to exchange the money,” Ms Wamboi said.

She said the cash was the only currency she managed to escape with and was hoping to spend it as she waits for peace to be restored in South Sudan.

As Kenyans complain about the exchange of money, Toby Lanzer a humanitarian coordinator in South Sudan said 200,000 persons had been displaced from their homes.