Juba — Hundreds of Kenyans living in the semi-autonomous Southern Sudanese region could be forced to return home following the latest crackdown on immigrants.

The crackdown which is being carried out in all the Southern Sudan's ten states, targets illegal immigrants whose influx has now been blamed on the worsening insecurity in the region.

Local authorities have blamed increased insecurity in the region to an influx of foreigners, most of whom are perceived to be part of several heavily armed gangs that have been terrorising residents of Juba city and its environs especially at night.

Most of those affected are individuals who have been operating food kiosks, saloons, barbershops, bodaboda business, car wash and even hawking households and vehicles parts.

One of the affected, Rose Njeri who spoke to the Daily Nation in Juba said , "I came here in 2007, I have been selling second hands clothes and even stationery, all my wares have been confiscated and now I might have to return to Kenya".

Some of those arrested claimed that they have had to part with between 40 to 60 Sudanese Pounds (20-40 US dollars), to bail themselves out even after their wares or motorbycles have been confiscated.

Last month, the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS), led by President Lt Gen.Salva Kiir Mayardit, directed security agents to firmly deal with rising cases of insecurity that have also seen a number of foreigners lose their lives in attacks by gangs.

In his directive President Kiir said,"I removed the army, "SPLA) from towns but I will have to redeploy it because I am not happy about insecurity in Juba city in particular.

It has also emerged that after the first phase of demolitions that left thousands of Juba residents homeless, the Central Equatoria state authorities have embarked on a second phase of the exercise which targets taxi and operators.

Records at the Juba traffic headquaters put the number of the already confiscated a number of vehicles and motorcycles to 3,000 within the last three days of intensified crackdown.

Those affected have been forced to forgo their motorbycles or vehicles most of which are said to be lacking proper documents such as insurances, number plates and even log books.

A number of foreigners, including Kenyans have had to seek alternative casual jobs especially in the now booming construction industry.

On Tuesday, over 80 Kenyan of Somali origin stormed the Kenya's South Sudan's Consulate based in Juba where they presented a petition letter to the Consulate General Ambassador Dr Joseph Kiplagat, seeking his intervention.

Those who spoke to the Daily Nation said that they had no travel documents since security personnel involved in the crackdown had confiscated them.

They also said that in some instances, some of them have been forced to pay heavy fines even if they are the complainants.

"Hapa gari lako likigongwa na mwenyeji wa hapa, bora too wewe ni mtu wa nje, ni wewe utalipa baada ya kichapo ama ulale ndani" ( If your car is knocked by a local, it is you to pay but after severe harrassment or else you get locked in the cells", said Mr Hussein Mohammed.

Those interviewed said they had been left with photocopies of their travel documenst after original ones were confiscated.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Nation in his Juba office, Kenya's Consular General to Southern Sudan, Amb. Dr Joseph Kiplagat confirmed having received several complaints of similar nature.

"Yes our people are complaining but they should understand that the crackdown does not target anyone who is here legally".

Amb. Kiplagat also disclosed that he recently spoke to the Governor of Central Equatoria Lt Gen Clement Wani Konga who assured him that the exercise would be devoid of harrassments and intimidations.

"I was assured by the Minister concerned plus the Governor himself that nobody will be touched as long as he had the right documents to be here.They (Kenyans) living here should understand that GoSS has illegalised hawking and even idling", Amb Kiplagat said.

He also said that similar crackdowns had been conducted in the neighbouring Yei County where dozens of Kenyans were rounded up and advised to return back home.

"Half of those arrested in Yei town a few weeks ago were Kenyans who do not have proper papers, they are here illegally and so can be suspected for participating in illegal activities", added Dr Kiplagat.

He went on, "Who knows, we have also heard of allegations that this crackdown targets members of the Kenya's outlawed Mungiki sect who are said to have come here due to intensified crackdown on them by our Government back home".

Amb. Dr Kiplagat said that he had so far held a discussion with several concerned authorities to raise complains over cases perceived to be genuine.

"Of course our role is to assist Kenyans do business here and to be part of this reconstruction process, we will always ensure we protect Kenyans as long as they do not break any law", said Amb. Kiplagat.

Efforts to reach GoSS Minister of Interior Affairs Gen. Gier Chuang Aluong, failed as calls went unanswered.

These latest developments came barerly two months since Kenya's Information and Communication Minister Samuel Poghisio toured Juba where he met representatives of the Kenyan communities living there.

Minister Poghisio later met GoSS President Salva Kiir Mayrdit and a host of Ministers with who he is said to have raised concerns of the Kenyan community in Southern Sudan.