Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta called in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly for the leaders on both sides of the conflict in South Sudan to "demonstrate determined and enlightened leadership and make peace without delay."
"Such action will save the people of this nation enormous suffering and offer hope for a better future," he said.
Kenyatta also urged the international community to do more to help end the conflict in South Sudan.
“We cannot let this young nation and its people down," Kenyatta said in his speech to the annual gathering of heads of state and government.
"At this assembly, I make a special plea for South Sudan, for no nation has over the years suffered as much neglect from the international community," Kenyatta said.
At least 10,000 people have been killed in nine months of fighting in South Sudan, and 1.8 million have been uprooted from their homes, including over 450,000 people who have fled to neighboring countries. Kenya is hosting around 44,000 refugees from South Sudan, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
South Sudanese President Salva Kiir is due to address the U.N. General Assembly on Saturday.
