Panic over? South Sudan’s top legislator, Rt. Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba, Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), is in Nairobi, Kenya, for a planned routine medical check-up – and her office has firmly debunked viral claims that she collapsed in her office and was rushed abroad in an emergency.
In a strongly worded press release issued on February 25, 2026, the Speaker’s Office described the circulating social media reports as “false and misleading,” stressing that the Nairobi trip was scheduled well in advance as part of her regular health management.
“We wish to clarify that the Rt. Hon. Speaker is currently in Nairobi for a routine medical check-up, a standard medical practice that many citizens undertake as part of responsible and effective health management,” the statement read.
“The Rt. Hon. Speaker is in good health condition. She is doing well and remains in high spirits. She will resume her official duties upon completion of the scheduled check-up,” officials added.
Wild speculation exploded on social media earlier this week, with unverified posts claiming Speaker Nunu Kumba had been found unconscious in her Juba office and urgently evacuated to Kenya. The false narrative triggered widespread concern and questions about leadership stability in the world’s youngest nation.
But authorities moved quickly to set the record straight, warning that such reckless rumour-mongering poses real risks.
“Irresponsible reporting and politically charged insinuations not only mislead the public but also risk undermining confidence in national institutions,” the office warned, urging leaders and citizens alike to verify facts before sharing sensitive information about public officials’ health.
A trailblazing figure in South Sudanese politics, Jemma Nunu Kumba became the first woman to serve as Speaker of the TNLA in August 2021. A veteran of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), she previously served as Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare and as the country’s first female state governor in Western Equatoria.
Her office concluded the statement by thanking concerned citizens for their well-wishes and reaffirming her commitment to her constitutional duties and service to the people of South Sudan.
As the dust settles on this latest wave of misinformation, the message from Juba is clear: facts over rumours. Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba is focused on her health and ready to return to work – stronger than ever.
