Gachagua calls for travel sanctions against Murkomen over Sudan’s RSF ties claim
By Aloys Michael, April 20, 2026Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called for international travel sanctions against Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, accusing him of allowing suspected war criminals from Sudan to operate and live freely within Kenya.
In an interview on K24 TV on Monday, April 20, 2026, Gachagua claimed Kenya’s global image on peace and security has taken a serious hit, saying that decisions made by President William Ruto and Murkomen have weakened the country’s standing in international diplomacy circles and in discussions on regional stability.
“For a long time now, Kenya’s image has been badly damaged as a result of various activities by William Ruto and CS Interior Kipchumba Mukomen. Kenya’s position in peace and security matters across the world is greatly mutilated as we speak,” he said.
The former Democracy for Citizens (DCP) party boss described the officials as “the weakest link” in the country’s security architecture, questioning their role in safeguarding national and regional stability.
He further warned that recent internal decisions could be undermining Kenya’s credibility and straining relations with international partners and neighbouring countries.
Key in Gachagua’a claims is Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, the commander of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), whom Gachagua claims has been granted refuge and privileges within Kenya.
Gachagua claims that Hemedti, despite facing international sanctions, has been issued diplomatic documentation, such as a Kenyan Passport, and is residing in the upscale Nairobi neighbourhood of Runda, with state security said to be assigned to protect him and members of his immediate family.
“As we speak, war criminals facing international sanctions, Hemeti and his four wives, they have been issued with diplomatic passports by Kichuba Mukomen,” Gachagua revealed.
“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.”
Gachagua effectively appealed to the international community to consider widening sanctions against Murkomen, arguing that such measures should restrict the Interior CS’s ability to travel outside the country.
“We are telling the international community that dealing with Hemeti and other war criminals is not enough.”
“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.”
Human rights abuse?
The RSF have been widely accused by international organisations of committing serious human rights abuses in Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
Reports from multiple sources link the paramilitary group to repeated attacks on civilians, including killings, forced displacement, and the widespread destruction of entire communities.
Tensions intensified in February 2025 when RSF leaders and allied factions met in Nairobi and signed an agreement to form a parallel government, a development that triggered strong condemnation both regionally and internationally.
The move was criticised for potentially undermining Sudan’s sovereignty and deepening the country’s political and security crisis.
In response, Sudan recalled its ambassador from Kenya, signalling a major diplomatic fallout and accusing Nairobi of indirectly supporting a faction it views as destabilising.
The African Union (AU) and other regional bodies also expressed concern, warning that the establishment of a parallel administration could further fragment Sudan and worsen the ongoing humanitarian crisis.