Gachagua Calls for Travel Sanctions Against Murkomen Over Alleged Sudan Ties

Gachagua Calls for Travel Sanctions Against Murkomen Over Alleged Sudan Ties

Nairobi — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called on the international community to impose travel sanctions on Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen over explosive claims linking Kenya to Sudan’s controversial paramilitary leadership.

Speaking during a public address, Gachagua alleged that Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti, has been granted refuge and privileges within Kenya despite facing international sanctions over his role in Sudan’s ongoing conflict.

At the centre of the claims is the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary outfit led by Hemedti that has been accused by international observers of widespread human rights violations, including attacks on civilians, displacement, and destruction of communities.

“As we speak, war criminals facing international sanctions, Hemeti and his four wives, they have been issued with diplomatic passports by Kichuba Mukomen,” Gachagua claimed.

He further alleged that the RSF commander is residing in Nairobi’s affluent Runda neighbourhood under state protection, raising concerns about Kenya’s diplomatic standing and internal security posture.

“That warlord who has international sanctions has been given a home in Runda with his four wives, which is guarded by the General Service Unit (GSU). This is very embarrassing to the Kenyan nation,” he added.

Call for International Action

In a sharp escalation of his criticism, Gachagua urged global actors to expand sanctions beyond Sudanese figures to include Kenyan officials allegedly facilitating their presence.

“We are telling the international community that dealing with Hemeti and other war criminals is not enough,” he said. “You need to impose sanctions on CS Kichuba Mukomen so that he cannot travel outside Kenya because he is the one giving diplomatic passports and giving safe haven to international criminals in Kenya.”

The allegations, if substantiated, could have far-reaching diplomatic implications, particularly at a time when Kenya has positioned itself as a regional peace broker in the Horn of Africa.

Diplomatic Fallout and Regional Concerns

The controversy comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions between Kenya and Sudan, following reports that RSF-linked leaders convened in Nairobi in early 2025 and signed a charter aimed at forming a parallel government.

The move triggered a sharp diplomatic response from Khartoum, which recalled its ambassador to Nairobi, accusing Kenya of undermining its sovereignty and indirectly supporting a faction it considers destabilising.

Regional bodies, including the African Union, have also expressed concern over the development, warning that such actions risk deepening divisions in Sudan and prolonging an already devastating conflict.

Analysts have described the situation as a significant test of Kenya’s foreign policy credibility, particularly in balancing its diplomatic engagements with competing factions in the region.

Domestic Political Undercurrents

Beyond the international dimension, Gachagua linked the issue to broader domestic concerns, accusing the Interior Ministry of orchestrating political disruptions within the country.

He alleged that state machinery has been used to interfere with opposition activities, including claims that organised groups were deployed to disrupt rallies associated with the United Opposition coalition.

The former Deputy President also referenced a recent incident involving Godfrey Osotsi, alleging that the senator was targeted in an attack at a Kisumu café, an incident that has not been independently verified by authorities.

While the government has yet to formally respond to the specific allegations raised by Gachagua, the claims have intensified political debate over governance, accountability, and Kenya’s role in regional conflicts.

Mounting Pressure

The unfolding developments place Kenya at the intersection of domestic political contestation and complex regional geopolitics. With the Sudan conflict continuing to draw international scrutiny, any perceived association with sanctioned actors could carry significant consequences for the country’s diplomatic relations.

As calls for clarification grow louder, attention is now turning to government agencies to address the allegations and reaffirm Kenya’s position on international law and regional stability.

Whether the claims lead to formal investigations or diplomatic engagement remains to be seen, but the issue has already ignited a fresh wave of political tension both within Kenya and across the region.

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Gachagua Calls for Travel Sanctions Against Murkomen Over Alleged Sudan Ties