President William Ruto has thrown Kenya’s diplomatic weight behind the fragile transition in South Sudan, pledging technical and institutional support for the country’s upcoming elections. In a high-stakes meeting at State House, Nairobi, Ruto met with South Sudan’s Presidential Special Envoy, Tut Gatluak Manime, to chart a path for stability in the region’s youngest nation.

The meeting comes at a critical juncture. South Sudan is scheduled to hold its first-ever general elections later this year, a milestone that has been repeatedly delayed by conflict and logistical nightmares. President Ruto emphasized that a credible poll is the only bridge to lasting peace. "We cannot afford to fail," Ruto told the envoy."Kenya stands ready to walk this journey with you, not just as a neighbor, but as a brother."

Capacity Building for Democracy

The core of the discussion centered on "institutional preparedness." Kenya, having navigated its own tumultuous electoral history, offered to assist South Sudan’s electoral commission with capacity building. This likely involves training of poll workers, sharing of technology, and logistical support. Ruto noted that "strengthening electoral institutions is key to ensuring credible and peaceful democratic processes."

Envoy Tut Gatluak delivered a special message from President Salva Kiir, reaffirming Juba’s commitment to the peace process. However, skepticism remains high. Implementation of the 2018 peace deal has been sluggish, and violence continues to flare in parts of the country. Kenya’s involvement is seen as a crucial stabilizer, given its role as a regional economic hub and mediator.

• The Regional Stakes: An unstable South Sudan is a threat to Kenya’s security and economy. The flow of refugees and arms across the border has long been a concern. Conversely, a stable South Sudan offers a massive market for Kenyan goods and a corridor for the LAPSSET infrastructure project.
• The Tumaini Initiative: Also present was Lazarus Sumbeiywo, the Chief Mediator of the Tumaini Initiative. This underscores that the talks were not just about logistics, but about the high-level political deal-making required to bring holdout groups into the fold before the first ballot is cast.

A Test of Leadership

For President Ruto, this is another opportunity to cement his status as Africa’s Diplomat-in-Chief. By taking the lead on the South Sudan dossier, he is projecting Kenyan soft power. But the road to Juba is paved with broken promises. The challenge will be ensuring that the handshake in Nairobi translates to peace in the villages of Jonglei and Upper Nile.

“The ballot must replace the bullet,” Ruto declared. As the clock ticks towards the polls, the region waits to see if South Sudan can finally turn the page, with a little help from its friends in Nairobi.