President William Ruto on Friday, February 14, 2025, promised to give Ksh129 million to support humanitarian efforts in the war-torn East African country, Sudan.

Speaking during the High-Level Humanitarian Conference for the People of Sudan in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the head of state informed other presidents attending the summit that Kenya was more than willing to see an end to the conflict.

Ruto highlighted that Kenya’s Ksh129 million (USD1 million) aid would go a long way in helping millions of people displaced by the violent clashes and others exposed to diseases and other forms of danger due to the situation in Sudan.

Ksh258 million support

In April 2024 during the humanitarian pledging conference held in Paris, Kenya promised to give Ksh129 million to support humanitarian course in Sudan.

The president reaffirmed Kenya’s willingness to honour the pledge and give more funds to help millions of people affected by the war.

In total, Kenya will be giving out Ksh258 million for Sudan’s mission.

“At the humanitarian pledging conference held in Paris in April 2024, Kenya pledged USD 1 million to support humanitarian efforts in Sudan. I am pleased to confirm that Kenya will fulfil this pledge with an additional USD 1 million to demonstrate our support for the Sudanese people,” Ruto announced.

Ruto warns warring parties

At the same time, Ruto decried external influence on the conflict in East African nations. He urged external actors to refrain from supporting the warring parties in the conflict.

“Finally, we urge all external actors supporting the warring parties to refrain from actions that further endanger the lives and future of the Sudanese people.As members of the African Union and United Nations, we must uphold fundamental principles of respect and territorial integrity, sovereignty and good neighbourliness in our pursuit of lasting peace and stability in Sudan,” Ruto remarked.

“Any discussion on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan must acknowledge that this is a man-made disaster. It is deeply regrettable that the dire humanitarian conditions in Sudan stem from a political crisis that has escalated into prolonged and senseless armed conflict. The obstruction of humanitarian access by the parties to the conflict is unacceptable. We call upon all involved to facilitate unrestricted access for humanitarian convoys and healthcare workers and to allow the resumption of agricultural activities in areas under their control,” he added.

The conflict in Sudan began on April 2023 when violent clashes erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) resulting in the mass displacement of people.

According to UNHCR, over 11.5 million have been displaced following the violent clashes that erupted in Sudan leading to disease outbreaks, economic and political instability and climate emergencies.

The conflict occurred when Sudan was in dire need of humanitarian support. The removal of long-term authoritarian leader- Omar al-Bashir in 2019 had initially raised optimism but a military coup two years later exacerbated the situation

Besides violent clashes, Sudan has also been heavily affected by adverse weather conditions raising the need for humanitarian support.