President William Ruto has firmly rejected claims that his government is secretly backing Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the ongoing war, branding the accusations as baseless rumours meant to discredit Kenya’s peace efforts.
Speaking in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Ruto told France 24 that Kenya has not taken sides in Sudan’s conflict. Instead, he insisted, Nairobi’s only mission is to push for a ceasefire and open dialogue between the warring generals.
“Kenya’s position is that both generals are products of a government that was overthrown. None is better than the other,” Ruto stated. “Our role is to pressure them into a ceasefire. These allegations—about Kenya, Egypt, even the UAE—are nothing more than rumours and propaganda.”
The President explained that Kenya was being targeted simply because it had offered a platform for dialogue, a move he said had already gained backing from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
“We should approach Sudan differently. I am glad that the position Kenya has championed was accepted by key partners who now agree there are no sides here,” he added.
Accusations of Nairobi’s involvement with the RSF are not new. Earlier this year, Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Kenya of sponsoring the militia group after they hosted an event in Nairobi. The diplomatic row escalated when Khartoum imposed sanctions on Kenyan exports, stalling bilateral trade.
At the time, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi dismissed the allegations, maintaining that Kenya’s decision to host RSF members was in line with regional peace-building efforts.
Despite repeated denials, whispers of Kenya’s alleged role in Sudan’s war have continued to circulate—fueling tensions between the two nations.
