Hero Kennedy Khamis Ladu Jambiri, Custom Officer

 

                                                                        

Born in Juba city, he was a citizen of Central Equatoria State (CES) of Yangwara ethnicity. His father has a senior and a Co-wife/junior wife. The senior wife has eight boys and one girl and Kennedy’s mom (junior wife) has one daughter and three sons. His brothers are Majack and late Sabit Timbok a well-known carpenter in the Malakia market. His hammer beats were very distinct in Juba.

On November 30^th, 1983, Kennedy married Ustaza Asenta Lomeling Lado (known as Gwaedt), in a spectacular wedding in Juba. On December 13th, 1985, God blessed the couple with a baby boy whom they named Lobojo. Lobojo died in the U.S. just two days before his 33rd birthday. Kennedy loved his family as much as his school.

His academic journey commenced in Juba. Between 1966 and 1969 he attended Buluka elementary school (BES). In the period 1969-1974 he earned his teaching diploma from Malakal Teachers Institute (MTI) and was employed as teacher at the Ministry of Education and Guidance in Juba. After MTI, he taught for a short period; in 1978, he completed high School, and went on to study Custom College in Port Sudan where his focus was on Exports and Imports and where he graduated with a diploma in Customs Law in 1979.

He worked in Port Sudan, Juba Airport, Kaya and Yei. His greatest achievement was the current customs office building in Kaya which he built from scratch and established customs law which governs and controls the movement of goods across the country’s borders by imposing reporting and control procedures over all persons. In addition to this, he built a compendium for all taxes, duties and levies, regulations, and procedures for importing goods at the border, duty-free items, import-export restrictions for the office use. These were his successes. He worked in Sarase youbu and Republic of Central Africa (RCA). He spent three years in Kaya. We wish the customs building could be renamed to honor this amazing man. He served Sudan and Southern Sudan with decency, integrity, professionalism, stewardship, and excellence. In 1986, he was transferred from Yei to Juba where he became the senior Customs Officer in charge of Juba Airport and surrounded by his friends till his death.

Kennedy was known to everyone in Juba as loving, conflict free, honest person, a good Samaritan, one who followed rules, regulations, and directives at work, consulted others for second opinions, employed logic to resolve issues, great networker and people person who was always ready to offer a helping hand to anyone in need. For instance, during the difficult times, and between periods of midst 1980s-1990s, he helped many people travelled to Khartoum free of charge. To substantiate his honesty, Ustaz El-Zein Al-Senussi left his vehicle with him in Juba, then when security and the political situation was worsening and El-Zein could not return to Juba, Kennedy transported Al-Senussis’ vehicle to Khartoum and advised him to be extra careful about his political activism.

 His home was always open and full of visitors from early morning to sunset. He loved to socialize with his friends: Hon. N’Deke, Ustaz Al- Senussi, Dr. Tangu, late Dr. Maj. Gen. Kameri, M.D., Dr. Sindani, M.D., late Awad Lako, Wani Jumi, late Paulino Lo-Nyabek, Adidi, Maj. Henry Lakas, Maj. Gen. Ramdan Laku, and many others at picnics in Rajaf, and at weekend parties. He was a devoted catholic and always attended Sunday services at Saint Tereza's Cathedral.

Beside picnics, weekend parties and church activities Hero Kennedy provided moral support to the Al-Helal football team, and junior and high school football tournaments teams. He enjoyed running and was a night show comedian at school. He has no affiliation to any specific Sudanese or Southern Sudanese political parties. He was, however; against Arab-north negative behaviours towards southern Sudanese and always criticized Khartoum regime's policy of discrimination and economic inequalities.

In January 1st,1990, Kennedy and his family left Juba for Nairobi for treatment of his first-born son diagnosed with sickle cell disease. The Customs authority granted him 45 days leave which was extended to additional 30 days. On Feb 1990, he returned to Juba, resumed his duties at Juba Airport and left his family behind in a Nairobi’s hotel to continue with treatment and medical follow ups.

While in Juba, he provided financial support to his family in Nairobi through his trusted friends and relatives. In Feb 1991, Kennedy sent money to his family with his colleague late Ark-Angelo Lemi (Pojulu). Ustaza Gweadt met him at the church but has no knowledge of letter and money sent with Ark-Angelo. Ark-Angelo stayed few days in Nairobi and left for Uganda without handing over the money to his spouse. After the departure of Lemi, Kennedy spoke with his wife over the phone and asked if she received money from Lemi. She was surprised to learn that financial support was sent with Lemi.  

Later, the family situation was worsening and with the help of late Dr. Tangu, the family moved to new rented house in Nairobi. Dr. Tangu informed Ustaza Gweadt that, no news about her husband, and she has no knowledge of the arrest incident and murder.

One Sunday afternoon, after church at bus stop in Nairobi, Gwaedt encountered a Nuer man who disclosed to her the list of the True Greatest Heroes killed in white house in Juba and in the list was Kennedy’s name. The list included organized forces personnel and civilians. She pleaded with the Nuer man to make her a copy of the list, but the man refused and left the scene. This was how she received the shocking information about Kennedy’s ordeal.

She subsequently decided to relocate to Ifo refugee camp and applied for asylum. The family lived in the refugee camp for over ten years before resettlement to U.S.A. Kennedy was an amazing person, humanitarian, good Samaritan, mentor, a loving father, & husband. He was greatly missed and survived with three children.

According to some trusted persons, Kennedy was accused of helping two young men who participated in SPLA Juba attack. The National Islamic security agents followed the young men to Khartoum but failed to track them as they disappeared in Khartoum. Additionally, his name appeared on the SPLA insiders/cell list in Juba. Boutrous Simon also was accused but released and transferred to Atbara.

Other trusted individuals in Juba confirmed that, Kennedy’s colleagues in Khartoum tipped him off with a copy of security report. The security report was written and submitted to security authority by Late Maj. Sabit Makekele. In the report, late Makekele described Kennedy and Amos Mujur Dinka from Bhar Al-Ghazal as dangers to national security and they might import heavy weapons via Juba airport. He recommended that both men were persona non grata and must be deport to Khartoum. Different report by Makekele, also accused Maj. Diling Director of Wildlife as SPLA insider.

Kennedy showed Makekele’s security report to Hon. N’deke and told him that he was looking for an opportunity to transfer to Khartoum as the situation was worsening every day. Hon. N’deke confronted Maj. Makekele and told him that he saw copy of the report he wrote against Kennedy and asked him why he did it? Maj. Makekele responded that, the report was written by his junior soldier and soldier was bugging him and wanted to know if he submitted the report to high authority or not. Hon. N’deke did not buy Maj. Makekele’s argument. Hon. N’deke stated how could a soldier has power and authority over senior officer? Makekele has no answer.

Side note, Makekeles’ father was known for betrayal of fellow Equatoria citizens. His late father was traitor in Torit. The father reported many southerners to Khartoum regime during the Anya-anyone.