Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of being involved in the gold trade with Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, the leader of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Gachagua claimed that when Ruto invited Hemedti to Kenya in 2023, it was not for the country’s benefit but for his own personal interests.
He alleged that he was assigned the task of welcoming the RSF leader but was later locked out of the meeting at State House, where Ruto and Hemedti held private discussions.
According to the post on X by Cornelius K Rono, Gachagua strongly criticized Ruto for engaging in business deals with individuals sanctioned by the international community.
The former DP warned that such dealings are putting Kenya in a bad position globally and could damage diplomatic ties. He stated that the RSF has been accused of serious crimes, including genocide and the killing of children, yet Ruto has chosen to associate with them.
Gachagua expressed concern that this association could lead to Kenya being viewed as a supporter of illegal activities, which would harm the country’s international reputation.
Gachagua further claimed that Kenya’s trade relations with Sudan are now at risk because of Ruto’s connection with RSF. He revealed that Sudanese authorities have threatened to stop importing Kenyan tea as a response to Ruto’s dealings with Hemedti.
If Sudan goes through with this ban, it could lead to economic losses for Kenya, given that Sudan is an important market for Kenyan tea. Gachagua questioned why the president would risk the country’s economy for personal gains instead of prioritizing national interests.
He also criticized Ruto’s approach to handling regional conflicts, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Gachagua claimed that many African leaders are now reluctant to work with Ruto on peace efforts because they view him as biased and driven by personal financial interests.
He alleged that Kenya’s involvement in the DRC conflict has been mismanaged and has worsened relations with other African countries. If this trend continues, Kenya could lose its position as a trusted mediator in regional peace processes.
Kenya’s recent decision to allow an RSF meeting in Nairobi on February 18 has attracted criticism from various quarters. The RSF held discussions on forming a parallel administration in Sudan, which some believe will escalate the ongoing conflict rather than bring peace.
The Sudanese government has openly opposed this move, further straining diplomatic relations between Kenya and Sudan. Critics argue that Ruto’s administration should be more focused on promoting stability in the region instead of engaging in questionable alliances.
The war in Sudan has been ongoing since April 2023, following disagreements between the Sudanese military and RSF over merging their forces.
The two groups had initially worked together to remove longtime leader Omar al-Bashir from power, but their alliance later fell apart. The RSF has since taken control of large parts of Sudan, including areas in Khartoum and Darfur, leading to further instability.
Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has refused to agree to a ceasefire during Ramadan, arguing that the RSF must first stop its attacks.
Gachagua warned that Ruto’s close ties with RSF could have long-term consequences for Kenya, including diplomatic isolation and economic losses. He called on the president to stop prioritizing personal business interests over national security and foreign relations.
The allegations made by Gachagua raise serious questions about the president’s leadership and the potential risks Kenya faces as a result of his foreign dealings.
Leave feedback about this