A United States-based human rights organisation has raised fresh concerns over the growing controversy surrounding Kenyan passports allegedly issued to individuals linked to Sudan’s paramilitary forces, warning that the move could expose Kenya to international scrutiny.
The New York-based Human Rights Foundation has publicly criticised Kenyan authorities, accusing them of granting identity and travel documents to Sudanese nationals associated with human rights abuses in the conflict-ravaged country.
The organisation voiced its concerns through its official X account on Wednesday, saying it was alarmed by reports that Kenyan passports had been issued to sanctioned Sudanese war financiers and individuals connected to the Rapid Support Forces.
The intervention by the US-based rights group adds an international dimension to the unfolding scandal, which has sparked outrage locally and raised questions about how the documents were issued.
According to the statement shared on X, the Human Rights Foundation expressed concern that the passports were granted to individuals associated with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, which it described as genocidal. The organisation also linked the passport controversy to what it called President William Ruto’s controversial relationship with the paramilitary group.
The group warned that such a relationship could risk implicating Kenyan authorities in efforts that may allow the militia-linked individuals to bypass international sanctions imposed against them.
Reports indicate that Kenya issued passports to more than 25 Sudanese nationals. Among those named is US-sanctioned Algoney Hamdan Daglo Musa, who is the younger brother of Rapid Support Forces commander Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemdeti.
Both men have faced sanctions over allegations that they were involved in procuring weapons and financing the paramilitary group, as well as participating in ethnically motivated killings and sexual violence during Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
The controversy intensified after a leaked list from the Kenya Immigration Department emerged about two weeks ago. The document showed that Kenyan passports had either been issued or were in the process of being processed for several Sudanese and Zimbabwean nationals whose backgrounds had raised concerns.
The list indicated that the passports were processed between August 2024 and February this year. Some of the individuals listed were reportedly linked to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, while another entry included a Zimbabwean national accused of corruption in his home country.
The revelations triggered anger among Kenyans, with many questioning the procedures used to issue the passports and warning that the scandal could damage the credibility of the Kenyan travel document.
Activist Boniface Mwangi also weighed in on the matter, accusing authorities of mishandling the process.
"They are selling the Kenyan passports for the price of peanuts," stated Activist Boniface Mwangi.
Despite the growing public outrage and increasing questions from leaders and civil society, Kenyan authorities have yet to provide a detailed explanation.
The Immigration Department led by Director General Evelyn Cheluget and the Interior Ministry headed by Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen have remained largely silent on the matter.
The involvement of the international rights organisation is now expected to increase pressure on the Kenyan government as demands grow for a full explanation on how the passports were issued and whether proper procedures were followed.
