Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei has defended the government’s decision to issue Kenyan Passport to individuals linked to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), saying the move was part of Kenya’s role in regional peace efforts.
Speaking during a television interview on Thursday, Sing’Oei dismissed claims that Kenya was carelessly giving passports to foreigners, including people associated with the RSF militia involved in Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
“The passports are not dished out willy-nilly. They are not handed out like candy,” the PS said, insisting that the government follows strict procedures before issuing any travel documents.
The matter has created controversy among the general population lately after media reports that a brother of RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, famously known as Hemedti, had acquired a Kenyan passport.
The media reports drew criticism not only locally but also internationally, considering the fact that Sudan is experiencing another wave of violence against its military and the RSF.
Sing’Oei elaborated that in cases of conflict, some people leave the scene of violence without identification papers, making it hard for them to travel and join peace talks.
In his opinion, countries playing mediator roles in conflict situations help such people acquire travel documents.
“It is my very strong view that under exceptional circumstances, people in distress may be allowed to travel using our passport. This is not a new thing,” he said.
The PS maintained that Kenya’s involvement with the RSF should be viewed from a peace mediation angle, noting that the country has built its reputation as a regional peace broker over the years.
He added that similar practices have happened elsewhere across Africa and globally when governments seek to bring warring parties to the negotiation table.
To support his argument, Sing’Oei pointed to former South African President Thabo Mbeki, saying he reportedly once used a Tanzanian passport during the apartheid era.
At the same time, the PS stressed that the travel documents issued under such special circumstances should not be mistaken for full Kenyan citizenship or permanent passport rights.
The controversy has also drawn attention because of Hemedti’s past visits to Kenya and meetings with President William Ruto at State House, which previously raised questions about Kenya’s relationship with the RSF leadership.
Still, Sing’Oei insisted Kenya remains committed to supporting peace initiatives in the region and helping bring conflicting sides together through dialogue.
