The government has denied allegations that Kenyan passports have been issued to foreigners accused of ties to the paramilitary organization in Sudan called the Rapid Support Forces.
Kipsang, the Principal Secretary in the immigration department, told MPs on Monday that passports are only issued to genuine Kenyans and not foreigners.
Kipsang was testifying before the National Assembly’s Internal Security Committee after allegations surfaced online that some foreigners, some of whom are accused of ties to the RSF in Sudan, have been issued Kenyan passports.
The claims were based on leaked immigration documents and caused alarm among Kenyans, prompting leaders to call for an explanation as to how this is possible.
Kipsang dismissed the claims as mere rumors and told the committee that the process of acquiring a passport in Kenya is not easy.
“You must have a national ID or a birth certificate. Without those documents, you cannot acquire a passport,” Kipsang told the committee.
The claims were based on allegations surrounding the RSF, which is in the midst of a conflict in Sudan.
The claims included Algoney Hamdan Dagalo, who is already sanctioned in the United States, and his brother Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, who leads the RSF.
Another person mentioned in the claims is Wicknell Chivayo, a Zimbabwean businessman who is known for frequent visits to Kenya.
It is claimed that Wicknell may have acquired Kenyan citizenship through dubious means. Despite the claims and allegations surrounding this matter, the government is adamant that the system is secure and that only Kenyans are issued passports.
