PS Sing’oei denies Kenya issued passports to Sudanese warlords
By Martin Oduor, May 13, 2026Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing’oei, has pushed back against mounting allegations that the Kenyan government improperly issued passports to Sudanese warlords and other controversial foreign nationals, insisting that any such travel arrangements would only occur under exceptional humanitarian circumstances.
Speaking during a TV interview on Wednesday night, May 13, 2026, Sing’oei defended Kenya’s broader role in regional peace efforts involving Sudan while rejecting claims that passports had been casually or unlawfully distributed.
“The first passports are not dished willingly,” Sing’oei said.
“It is my very strong view that under exceptional circumstances, people in distress may be allowed to travel using our passports.”
He added that such situations were not unprecedented in conflict zones, where displaced individuals often flee without formal documentation.
“This is not a new thing,” he said.
“Fleeing conflicts don’t actually have documents.”
The remarks come amid growing public controversy following media reports claiming that more than two dozen Sudanese nationals linked to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) either obtained or applied for Kenyan passports through irregular channels.
The RSF, a powerful paramilitary organisation involved in Sudan’s ongoing civil conflict, has faced widespread accusations of atrocities, including war crimes and ethnic violence. Some of its leaders have been targeted by international sanctions.
Critics of the government, including activists and opposition figures, have accused immigration officials of bypassing Kenya’s established naturalisation procedures, which typically require years of residency, language proficiency and formal public notification.
The controversy has intensified scrutiny over Kenya’s increasingly prominent diplomatic involvement in Sudan’s crisis.
Nairobi has hosted peace initiatives and positioned itself as a regional mediator, though its engagement has at times drawn criticism from factions suspicious of external influence.
Sing’oei framed Kenya’s actions within that broader diplomatic context, emphasising the country’s commitment to stabilising Sudan and assisting individuals affected by war.
“As Kenya, we are committed to supporting peace mediation in Sudan. Sudan is an important country in our region,” he said.
Still, his explanation is unlikely to fully quiet critics, who argue that humanitarian justifications cannot override immigration law or international accountability concerns — particularly when individuals linked to armed groups are involved.
The episode has opened a politically sensitive debate in Kenya over the balance between regional diplomacy, humanitarian obligations and national security oversight.
For the government, the challenge may now be less about defending its intentions than restoring public confidence in the integrity of the country’s immigration system.