Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has firmly denied claims that the country is supporting Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the ongoing conflict against the Sudanese Armed Forces, asserting that Nairobi remains committed to peaceful mediation.
In an interview with the BBC on Tuesday, Mudavadi underscored Kenya’s neutral stance, stating, “Kenya is a centre for mediation. We only encourage peaceful conversations for peaceful resolutions. That is the extent to which Kenya has been engaged with the various parties in Sudan.”
His comments follow allegations by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who recently accused President William Ruto of being involved in RSF operations. Mudavadi dismissed the accusations, saying, “Leave him out of it. The former DP is dealing with personal grievances after being impeached by Parliament. I don’t think we should drag him into this matter.”
Addressing criticism that arose after President Ruto hosted RSF and affiliated groups in Nairobi in March—an event that resulted in the signing of a transitional constitution—Mudavadi clarified that Kenya’s role was purely facilitative.
“As the Foreign Affairs CS, I would like to confirm that the session RSF had in Nairobi was for internal dialogue. They produced a charter, which has been wrongly interpreted as the declaration of a parallel government. That is not true at all,” he said. “At no time has Kenya been part of any government-in-exile or parallel government.”
Reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to Sudan’s sovereignty, Mudavadi stated, “Kenya stands for one Sudan and would like to see one unified Sudan. We urge all Sudanese parties to find an amicable path toward peace.”
Mudavadi made these remarks while attending the London-Sudan Conference, where representatives from multiple nations, the European Union, and the African Union pledged hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to Sudan.
Speaking at the event, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy issued a strong moral appeal: “Many have given up on Sudan – that is wrong. It’s morally wrong when we see so many civilians beheaded, infants subjected to sexual violence, and more people facing famine than anywhere else in the world. We simply cannot look away.”
The devastating conflict, which erupted on April 15, 2023, has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions.
Earlier this month, Gachagua alleged that President Ruto was conducting illegal gold trade with RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, and using Kenya as a conduit to launder money for arms purchases.
“The real commander of RSF is not Hemedti, it is William Ruto. The money from gold is being cleaned through Kenya to buy firearms,” Gachagua told KTN.
President Ruto has not responded publicly to the allegations.
