Exploring Yei: My 11-Day Stay

A picture of a section of Sobe Street | December 2022 by Kisinger Henry

As I embarked on my second journey home to Yei, South Sudan, I was eager to see the changes that had taken place since my displacement in October 2016. I had lived in Yei my entire life, from nursery to secondary school and even a three-month post-secondary certificate course. During my 11-day stay, I not only lost 2kg but also discovered a town in transition. I noticed a few changes and wanted to share my observations with you.

First and foremost, the population of Yei has grown but is still relatively small. I had the chance to move around the town, visiting areas like Kaya road, Maridi road, and Juba road. It was easy to count the number of people on any given street, as the town still has a small-town feel.

When it comes to education, Yei has 53 primary schools and 8 secondary schools currently operational. However, the motivation levels of the learners seemed low. I noticed that some students were reckless and unserious about their education. On the positive side, Yei is home to higher institutions of learning, including Emmanuel Christian College, Yei Teacher Training College, and Yei Health Sciences Institute.

One of the key observations I made was about the state of business in Yei. Dar es Salaam remains the main market for food supplies, with peasants bringing in items from surrounding villages. Taxes by the county revenue authority are reportedly high, causing frustration among traders. Additionally, security and garbage fees are collected monthly, but people’s shops still get broken into, and garbage collection is not up to par. Basic commodities are relatively cheap, but hardware items are expensive.

Unfortunately, the security situation in Yei still leaves much to be desired. I heard about cases of night robberies in some areas, and my friend even lost two smartphones in the Wuluturu area. Outskirts of the town are also hotspots, with ARC staff being attacked along the Kaya road in January 2023. Sadly, two people were killed in Otogo Payam just a few days later.

When it comes to infrastructure development, Yei still has a long way to go. Internal roads, including the roundabouts near the Freedom Square, are in a dilapidated state. Despite the county revenue collecting between SSP 15–25 million monthly, it’s unclear where the funds are going. The Yei Civil Hospital is mainly run by NGOs, and the issue of power is still a problem. JEDCO has not been revived, forcing businesses and individuals to rely on solar power or generators. The director for Tore Payam has been taken to his duty station, but without proper mobility means, it’s unclear how he’ll be able to carry out his duties.

I also noticed that some young people in Yei are struggling to make ends meet. The issue of drug use and partying has become a norm for some, even if they do have a job. Unfortunately, the money earned is often spent on drugs instead of necessities like food or medicine, or even starting a street vending business. Some kids have become delinquent, causing strain in relationships with their parents. I met two parents who said they were close to giving up on their kids.

Lastly, I wanted to touch on the state of banking in Yei. The only operational banks are Eden and Nile Commercial Banks, but there are SACCOs like Setlink and Rural-Urban available. However, many people prefer to save their money under their beds, in “korokoro,” or with friends. Unfortunately, this often leads to disappointment as people lose their money partly or even wholly in the worst cases.

One of the most notable figures in Yei is the County Commissioner. It’s said that he likes to frequent Juba, leaving the residents of Yei to fend for themselves. Only medical travels are excusable, but many question the Commissioner’s priorities and why he spends so much time away from the county he is tasked to lead.

My 11-day journey back to Yei that brought me back to my roots and allowed me to rediscover the place where I spent my entire life was a mix of both good and bad experiences. While it’s great to see some progress, there’s still much work to be done from the dilapidated infrastructure to the struggling youth and security concerns, it’s clear that there’s much work to be done in the county.