The Kenyan Ambassador to South Sudan says Kenya and the SPLM in opposition are still negotiating the release of its pilot and plane.

The Diplomat said SPLM in opposition had been holding the plane and its pilot for 10 days now.

Last week, the Kenyan Vice President told the press that Kenyan government is working on modalities to ensure the pilot and plane are returned safely to Kenya.

“They have not tell us when they are going to release the plane and one pilot but we are negotiating with them,” Ambassador Leshore told Eye Radio.

Earlier, Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto said the rebels had agreed to release a Kenyan’s pilot and the plane.

“We managed to persuade the rebels to release a Kenyan plane and pilot who have been held for the last 10 days in rebel-controlled territory and the modalities will now be concluded so that the plane and pilot can be recovered and sent back to Nairobi.”

The plane is reported to belong to a charter company that delivers humanitarian aid to the country and was detained because the pilot was in possession of firearms.

On 3 June, the rebels impounded the chartered plane and detained its pilot, accusing him of attempted assassination.