Gachagua accuses Ruto of business dealings with Sudan's RSF chief, alleges gold smuggling
Gachagua also rebuked Ruto for hosting RSF leaders in Nairobi, saying the move has tarnished Kenya's reputation on the global stage.
Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of prioritising personal business interests over Kenya's national agenda, alleging that the head of state is involved in gold dealings with Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, popularly known as Hemedti.
Speaking on KTN News on Monday night, Gachagua claimed that smugglers are transporting illicit gold from Sudan to Nairobi before rerouting it to Dubai, with Ruto allegedly facilitating the trade.
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He warned that the president's actions could have long-term consequences for Kenya's diplomatic relations.
"What is happening is that the president has put his personal and commercial interests ahead of the country's interests. That's the problem," said Gachagua.
"They are doing business with the RSF chief, involving gold that [is being] obtained from that area, brought to Nairobi, and then taken to Dubai. Yes, I can substantiate that."
Ruto-Hemedti meeting
Gachagua further claimed that during his tenure as deputy president, Ruto instructed him to facilitate a meeting with Hemedti, arguing that the President could not extend the invitation directly due to diplomatic protocols.
In international diplomacy, invitations to state officials are typically extended through foreign ministries, embassies or high commissions.
Given that Hemedti was Sudan's vice president at the time, it would have been unconventional for Ruto to initiate such an engagement.
Gachagua alleged that after making the introductions, he was quickly dismissed from the room, reinforcing his belief that the meeting was driven by personal interests rather than Kenya's foreign policy objectives.
"I introduced him, and I was told to leave because it had nothing to do with Kenya. If it had anything to do with the country, I would have sat in that meeting," he claimed.
RSF leaders’ Nairobi meeting
Gachagua also rebuked Ruto for hosting RSF leaders in Nairobi, saying the move has tarnished Kenya's reputation on the global stage.
He criticised the government for allowing the sanctioned Sudanese paramilitary group to operate within Kenya’s borders.
"In all fairness, President William Ruto has damaged this country's reputation on the global stage. He is making all the wrong decisions," Gachagua stated.
"We have a policy of non-interference in the affairs of other countries. We cannot allow rebels [who have been] sanctioned internationally for genocide to meet in government facilities in Nairobi."
His remarks come amid growing scrutiny of the Kenyan government's decision to host an RSF meeting at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on February 18.
The event, attended by Sudanese political players and armed groups, was reportedly aimed at strengthening RSF's position in Sudan's conflict.
As diplomatic tensions rise, these allegations raise further questions about Nairobi's role in Sudan's internal affairs and the potential repercussions on Kenya's global standing.
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