DOES KENYA BENEFIT FROM GENOCIDE IN SUDAN?

Kenya’s former vice president Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of enabling Sudan’s paramilitary RSF through illicit gold laundering and arms trade routed via Nairobi. These claims, if substantiated, could implicate Kenya in fueling atrocities in Sudan.

Explosive Allegations Shake Kenya’s Regional Standing
In a televised interview on Kenya’s KTN TV, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua made a stunning accusation: that President William Ruto is the “real commander” of Sudan’s UAE-backed Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Gachagua claimed that the RSF’s illicit gold trade is being funneled through Kenya, with profits used to purchase weapons that are “slaughtering Sudanese women and children”.

The remarks have sparked outrage and concern across East Africa, raising questions about Kenya’s role in the Sudanese conflict and its broader geopolitical alliances.

Gold, Guns, and Geopolitics
Gachagua’s claims are not without precedent. A joint investigation by Bellingcat and Kenya’s Daily Nation uncovered Kenya-labelled ammunition crates at an RSF depot in Sudan. The report suggests that Nairobi may be a key node in the RSF’s supply chain, facilitating both arms and financial flows.

In March 2025, the Sudanese government suspended imports from Kenya in protest of Nairobi’s decision to host RSF leaders. The move signaled a diplomatic rupture and underscored growing regional unease over Kenya’s alleged complicity.

Political Fallout and Personal Risk
Gachagua’s credibility is complicated by his own political history. He was impeached in 2024 after facing eleven charges, including “insubordination to the president.” He has consistently described the charges as politically motivated, claiming retaliation for his refusal to support Ruto’s dealings with RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti.

Despite his removal from office, Gachagua has remained vocal. He now says he is willing to provide evidence to international bodies—including the U.S. Senate—about Ruto’s alleged role in laundering RSF gold through Kenya.

Regional Implications
If Gachagua’s allegations are proven, Kenya could face international sanctions, reputational damage, and strained relations with regional blocs like the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The accusations also raise broader questions about how African states navigate foreign-backed paramilitary networks, and whether economic interests are being prioritized over human rights.

A Call for Accountability
As Sudan continues to reel from civil war and humanitarian catastrophe, the question posed by Gachagua—Does Kenya benefit from genocide in Sudan?—demands urgent scrutiny. Whether his claims are politically motivated or grounded in fact, they have opened a new chapter in East Africa’s reckoning with war, wealth, and complicity.

Reference Sources:
Sudans Post
Eastleigh Voice
Middle East Eye
Tuko Kenya