- Gachagua accuses President Ruto of benefiting from gold trade with Sudan’s RSF leader Hemedti.
- Claims Ruto held secret meetings with Hemedti at State House for personal gain.
- Alleges RSF gold is smuggled through Nairobi before being exported to Dubai.
- Says Ruto’s dealings have damaged Kenya’s international image and ties with Sudan.
- Warns that Kenya’s strained relations with African nations could hurt peace initiatives.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of personally profiting from the gold trade with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti.
Speaking in an interview with KTN on Monday, Gachagua claimed that Ruto invited Hemedti to Kenya in 2023 under the guise of diplomacy but for personal financial interests.
“If it had anything to do with Kenya, I would have sat through the meeting, but after they were done, I am the one who took him to the airport. I inquired, and they are doing business,” he stated.
According to Gachagua, gold from Sudan is transported through Nairobi before being shipped to Dubai.
“They are doing gold business with RSF chief, which is taken from that area, brought to Nairobi then taken to Dubai,” he alleged.
Kenya’s Reputation at Risk
Gachagua warned that Ruto’s association with the RSF—an armed group sanctioned internationally for genocide and crimes against children—is tarnishing Kenya’s reputation.
“It is putting Kenya in a very bad light. Ruto must accept that he will not be president forever. He cannot destroy this country’s reputation for personal gain,” he said.
He further noted that Sudan is considering banning Kenyan tea imports in response to Ruto’s dealings with the RSF.
Strained Relations with African Allies
Beyond Sudan, Gachagua claimed that Ruto’s foreign policies are isolating Kenya from its African allies, particularly regarding the conflict in the Eastern DRC.
“Many African presidents are unwilling to get involved in peace initiatives led by President Ruto because they see him as conflicted, prioritizing personal business over national interests,” he claimed.
Despite these warnings, Kenya hosted RSF officials in Nairobi on February 18, a move that angered Sudan’s government as the RSF used the visit to launch a parallel government.
With diplomatic tensions rising, these revelations could put further pressure on Kenya’s foreign policy and Ruto’s administration amid growing scrutiny over its international dealings.
