Kenya has found itself at the center of a storm after an explosive NTV and Bellingcat investigation suggested the country may have supplied weapons to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in war-torn Sudan.
The government, however, strongly denies these claims, insisting that its involvement in Sudan is strictly limited to peacekeeping and humanitarian aid.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura addressed the media in Nairobi, firmly rejecting the accusations. He labeled the allegations as “baseless” and “unfounded,” arguing that Kenya’s role has always been to promote peace and stability in the region.
The exposé has raised serious questions about regional politics, arms trading, and Kenya’s neutrality in a complex civil war.
Kenya Arming RSF Allegations Spark Diplomatic Tensions
The controversy began when NTV and Bellingcat released findings from a joint investigation showing Kenyan-labeled ammunition crates allegedly found in an RSF arms depot near Khartoum. The photos and videos, now circulating widely online, appear to show crates with markings consistent with Kenyan military supplies.
According to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), these weapons were captured from RSF bases during recent offensives. Footage shows nearby ammunition matching the codes and labels used by Kenya’s Ministry of Defence, sparking a wave of suspicion.
In response, the Ministry of Defence issued a swift denial. “Upon examination of the photographs provided, we wish to state that we do not recognize the crates nor the inscriptions on them,” read the official statement sent to Nation Media Group.
The ministry did not, however, address whether any arms transfers—either imports or exports—had taken place that could explain the alleged presence of Kenyan military equipment in Sudan.
Mwaura reinforced this position, maintaining that Kenya has not and would not supply weapons to any side in the conflict. “Kenya is supporting the peace process through IGAD. Any other assertion is mere conjecture,” he said. “We have no business with the claims being made out there.”
Government Reaffirms Peaceful Role and Slams Accusations
Mwaura pointed out that Kenya had donated Ksh256 million (around USD 2 million) to support humanitarian aid and peace negotiations in Sudan. He reiterated that Kenya remains neutral and is ready to host peace talks involving both the SAF and RSF.
“Kenya is committed to peace in Sudan. We are not aligned with either side,” he said. “We are open to facilitating dialogue, just like we have done in South Sudan through the Ushirika peace model.”
He added that Kenya supports a broader peace framework involving regional and international players such as the African Union and United Nations. Mwaura also accused critics of distorting facts and attempting to paint Kenya as a regional destabilizer without credible evidence.
But critics argue that the government’s response has been vague, failing to account for how Kenyan-labeled ammunition ended up in RSF-controlled territory. The investigation also noted that Kenyan authorities focused only on domestically produced arms while avoiding questions about potential third-party arms trade, transfers, or logistical lapses.
Sudan Responds by Cutting Ties and Banning Kenyan Imports
Following the revelations and growing diplomatic tension, Sudan announced on March 14, 2025, that it was suspending all imports from Kenya. This decision came shortly after Kenya hosted RSF representatives in Nairobi—a move that Sudan viewed as provocative and hostile.
A letter from Sudan’s Acting Minister of Trade and Supplies, Omar Ahmed Mohamed Ali, confirmed the ban. “The import of all products from Kenya via all ports, crossings, airports, and entry points is suspended starting from this date until further notice,” it stated.
Ali accused Kenya of hosting and sponsoring a rebel group fighting the Sudanese government, calling it a threat to Sudan’s national security. The ban is expected to disrupt trade between the two nations and may escalate tensions in the Horn of Africa.
Kenya has not formally responded to Sudan’s trade ban, but diplomatic insiders say the issue could spill over into wider regional conflict diplomacy if not addressed quickly and transparently.
