Kenyan companies count losses from South Sudan war

National carrier Kenya Airways, its rival Fly 540 and KCB Group were among Kenyan companies that were Monday counting heavy losses following a fresh outbreak of political violence in South Sudanese capital Juba.

The unrest, which started late last week, escalated over the weekend, dealing a blow to a recent resurgence in business confidence that followed the African Union-brokered peace deal between the warring factions and vice-president Riek Machar’s return to the capital in May. Kenya Airways yesterday said it would indefinitely extend its suspension of flights to Juba, citing safety concerns.