PS Korir Sing’oei clarifies Kenyan passport case involving RSF-linked persons
By Aloys Michael, May 14, 2026The Principal Secretary of the State Department of Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’oei, has defended the government’s decision to issue Kenyan travel documents to individuals linked to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), saying the move is consistent with Kenya’s peace mediation role and international diplomatic practice.
His remarks come amid public scrutiny and political criticism over claims that Kenyan passports were being issued to foreign actors connected to the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
Speaking during an interview on a local TV station on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Sing’oei dismissed claims that Kenyan passports were being distributed indiscriminately to foreigners, insisting the process is tightly controlled and guided by exceptional humanitarian and diplomatic considerations.
“The first passports are not dished out willy-nilly. They’re not dished out like candy. It’s completely untrue,” the PS said.
Sing’oei explained that individuals fleeing active conflict zones often lack valid documentation, and in such cases, states may issue temporary travel documents to enable their participation in peace processes.
According to him, this practice is not unique to Kenya but is used in various diplomatic settings globally to facilitate negotiations involving conflict actors.
“It is my very strong view that under exceptional circumstances, people are allowed to travel; people in distress may be allowed to travel using our passports. This is not a new thing,” he explained.
The PS further argued that Kenya’s engagement with Sudanese actors linked to the RSF is driven by its long-standing role as a regional peace mediator, adding that facilitating movement for stakeholders in conflict resolution is sometimes necessary to bring parties to the negotiation table, stressing that such arrangements should not be mistaken for granting citizenship or permanent passport privileges.
The RSF concerns
Sudan has been embroiled in a violent conflict since fighting erupted between the national army and the RSF, a paramilitary group led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti.
Reports that his brother received a Kenyan passport have triggered widespread criticism domestically and internationally, particularly amid claims of high-level meetings between Kenyan leadership and RSF figures.
The controversy has also been fuelled by political tensions at home. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called for international travel sanctions against Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, accusing him of enabling suspected Sudanese war criminals to operate freely in Kenya.
In an interview on K24 TV on Monday, April 20, 2026, Gachagua claimed Kenya’s global standing in peace and security had been damaged, claiming that individuals linked to RSF leader Hemedti had been granted diplomatic privileges and protection in Nairobi’s Runda estate.
“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.
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, 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.”