- U.S. senator pushes for probe into Kenya’s alleged ties with Sudan’s RSF
- Ruto dismisses claims, says tensions stem from U.S. “jealousy” over China trade deals
NAIROBI, KENYA – U.S. lawmakers are calling for an investigation into Kenyan President William Ruto’s government over alleged links to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a move that has sparked fresh diplomatic tension between Nairobi and Washington.
The push is being led by Sen. Jim Risch, an Idaho Republican who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Risch accuses Ruto’s administration of involvement in the killing of at least 128 protesters in Kenya, maintaining ties with Somalia’s al-Shabaab militant group, and supporting the Sudanese rebel movement.
The calls follow a June joint investigative report by Bellingcat and Kenya’s Nation Media Group that claimed crates of ammunition from Kenya were found in Sudan, implicating Nairobi in the country’s brutal civil conflict. RSF commander Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, is a close ally of Ruto.
While the allegations have not been proven, they raise the prospect of Kenya losing its Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status, a designation granted by Washington in recognition of the country’s security cooperation. Such a downgrade could also jeopardise U.S. financial support for Kenyan police deployed to Haiti.
Ruto pushes back
Ruto has dismissed the accusations, linking them to Washington’s discomfort over Kenya’s deepening economic relationship with Beijing.
“Some of our friends are complaining that we are doing too much trade with China… but it is what I must do for Kenya. It’s in the best interest of Kenya that we get into this (China) market,” he said in Nairobi, a day after Risch made his move.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, a vocal critic of Ruto currently on a month-long U.S. tour, welcomed the investigation.
“Under Mr. William Ruto, Kenya has become a financial safe haven for individuals and entities on the Office of Foreign Assets Control Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list and foreign terrorist organisations, including individuals and entities based in some neighbouring countries,” Gachagua said.
He urged Kenyans in the U.S. to “reach out to their Senators with information and facts on what is happening to our beloved nation, Kenya.”
Analysts weigh in
Across Kenya’s political divide, allies of Ruto and Gachagua are rallying behind their respective positions.
Political analyst Macharia Munene told Allen Dreyfus that Ruto is “feeling the heat” for being “dropped” by the Donald Trump administration as a close African ally.
“Ruto was very close to the Joe Biden regime. Their closeness was one of the reasons why Kenya was granted the Major Non-NATO Ally status as well as financial assistance for the Kenyan police in Haiti. Trump has come with totally different policies,” Munene said. “Ruto is a victim of U.S. policy change.”
“While Chinese economic policies may be beneficial to Kenya, it is far-fetched to claim the U.S. is jealous,” said Economic analyst Tony Watima.
