US Senator accuses Kenya of supporting Sudan's ‘genocidal’ RSF paramilitary group
The situation has sparked a diplomatic row between Kenya and Sudan, especially as RSF continues to push for the creation of a new government.
The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, Senator Jim Risch, has accused the Kenyan government of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a Sudanese paramilitary group, in a move that he claims could contribute to genocide.
Risch's statement, made on Friday, follows mounting controversy over Kenya's role in hosting the RSF in Nairobi, where the group has been planning to establish a parallel government in Sudan amid the ongoing civil war.
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RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo ‘Hemedti’, is fighting against Sudan's national army, and has been responsible for widespread atrocities in Sudan.
Last year, Senator Risch spearheaded efforts in the US Congress to recognise RSF-led atrocities as genocide, a designation that became US policy in January 2025.
Risch expressed deep concern over Kenya's involvement with the RSF.
"Now, Kenya, a US ally, is helping the RSF legitimise their genocidal rule in Sudan under the guise of peace-making. This is an unthinkable attempt to obscure the truth and will not end the massacre," he said.
The accusations against Kenya have been met with fierce criticism from human rights organisations and Sudan itself.
Persona non grata
Thirteen human rights groups, including the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), have demanded that Kenya declare all RSF members currently in the country as persona non grata.
In a statement issued on February 21, the groups called on the Kenyan government to retract its support for the RSF and apologise to the people of Sudan for what they describe as Kenya's biased involvement in Sudan's peace talks.
The controversy stems from Kenya's decision to allow RSF leaders to convene in Nairobi, where they are reportedly planning to announce a "Government of Peace and Unity" to administer territories under their control in Sudan.
Sudan's government strongly condemned this move, accusing Kenya of violating its sovereignty and recalling its ambassador from Nairobi.
'Act of hostility'
In protest, Sudan labelled Kenya's actions as an "act of hostility," claiming that hosting the RSF undermines Sudan's sovereignty.
"Why is Kenya intervening in Sudan's internal matters while simultaneously expecting no repercussions?" questioned Malik Agar, vice-chair of Sudan's Sovereign Council, in a letter to President William Ruto.
Kenya's Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has defended the country's stance, explaining that Kenya remains committed to seeking solutions to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
"Kenya, therefore, reiterates its solidarity with the people of Sudan as they define their destiny and future political governance through inclusive dialogue," Mudavadi said.
This position is the subject of intense debate, with critics arguing that Kenya's involvement compromises its impartiality in peace talks.
The situation has sparked a diplomatic row between Kenya and Sudan, especially as RSF continues to push for the creation of a new government.
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