Mudavadi denies claims of Kenya smuggling arms or gold with RSF
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has dismissed claims that the Kenyan government is involved in smuggling arms or gold with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), describing the accusations as “unfounded, sensational, and damaging.”
Speaking during a TV interview on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Mudavadi responded directly to claims made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who recently claimed that President William Ruto held secret dealings with RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, popularly known as Hemedti. Gachagua claimed Ruto’s 2023 meeting with the Sudanese general in Nairobi was not part of official diplomatic efforts but a cover for private business arrangements involving precious minerals.
Mudavadi strongly refuted the claims, stating: “There are no business deals between Kenya and RSF. How can the government be involved in smuggling? We are not in the business of smuggling arms or gold.”
Diplomacy over conflict
Gachagua, in a previous interview, claimed that gold from war-torn Sudan was being trafficked through Nairobi en route to Dubai and suggested that Kenya was benefiting from the RSF’s access to the gold trade. He said he was present when Hemedti visited the country but was excluded from the actual meeting with President Ruto.
“If it had anything to do with Kenya, I would have sat through the meeting,” Gachagua said. “But after they were done, I took him to the airport and inquired. They are doing business.”
The former deputy president’s remarks sparked debate across political circles, raising concerns about Kenya’s neutrality in Sudan’s civil war and its role as a peace mediator in the region. The RSF, which has been in conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), has drawn international scrutiny over its conduct during the ongoing crisis.
Mudavadi dismissed the claims as misleading and dangerous, emphasizing that Kenya has remained firmly committed to peacebuilding in the Horn of Africa. “No government in exile was formed in Kenya,” he said. “RSF was having their own peace conversation. The solution in Sudan is not military—it has to be dialogue.”
Regional role questioned
Kenya’s decision to host RSF leaders in February 2025 led to sharp criticism from Sudan’s government in Khartoum, which accused Nairobi of giving recognition to a militia group. The meeting, held as part of regional peace efforts, was viewed by critics as Kenya leaning toward one side of the conflict.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs later explained that Kenya’s involvement was strictly focused on mediation under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional bloc mandated to help resolve the Sudan crisis through dialogue. Despite the explanation, Khartoum recalled its ambassador from Nairobi and demanded clarification over Kenya’s position.
Mudavadi maintained that Kenya has no interest in siding with any faction and is only focused on ensuring lasting peace in the region. “These are dangerous claims. Kenya is respected as a peace broker in the region. Let us not allow political rhetoric to jeopardize that,” he said.
Caution urged
The Prime Cabinet Secretary urged political leaders to be responsible in their public utterances, warning that such claims could inflame diplomatic tensions and damage Kenya’s global standing.
“We must rise above domestic politics and protect Kenya’s image abroad. Reckless talk can undermine years of diplomatic progress,” he said.
As Sudan’s internal conflict rages on, Kenya continues to play a vital role in peace negotiations, keeping communication lines open with both the RSF and SAF. Despite facing criticism at home and abroad, Kenya has been praised by international observers for its commitment to dialogue and non-interference in the sovereign affairs of its neighbors.
