Exposed: Kenya Faces Scrutiny Over Alleged Arms Supply to Sudan

Kenya's role in the ongoing conflict in Sudan is under intense scrutiny following the discovery of ammunition and weaponry labelled "Kenya" at a depot seized from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Omdurman, Sudan. 

This revelation casts a shadow over Kenya's widely publicised efforts to mediate peace between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, raising serious questions about its neutrality and adherence to international norms. The controversy erupted after videos and reports, primarily disseminated by pro-SAF accounts, surfaced depicting SAF troops inspecting a captured depot in Salha, a neighbourhood northwest of Khartoum. The footage reveals crates and boxes marked "Kenya" among the stockpiled munitions. 

Geolocation analysis and corroborating reports from media outlets such as Russia Today Arabic, along with verification by investigative journalists from Bellingcat and Nation Media Group, have confirmed the depot's location and its use as an RSF arsenal. The implications of these findings are potentially far-reaching, challenging Kenya's standing as a credible mediator in regional disputes. For months, President William Ruto has positioned Kenya as a key player in resolving the Sudanese crisis. 

In 2023, he was appointed chair of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Quartet on Sudan, a role that placed him at the forefront of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict. Throughout that year and into 2024, Ruto engaged in high-level meetings with key Sudanese leaders, including General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who heads the Transitional Sovereignty Council, and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti.

In January 2024, Ruto held a closed-door session with Hemedti, framing the discussion as part of Kenya's commitment to fostering dialogue and ending the war. However, the discovery of Kenyan-labelled weapons in an RSF depot undermines this narrative, suggesting a possible contradiction between Kenya's public stance as a mediator and its alleged provision of material support to one of the warring factions.

The situation is further complicated by the international condemnation of Hemedti and the RSF. In January 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on Hemedti, accusing him of orchestrating ethnic cleansing and obstructing humanitarian assistance in Sudan. These accusations highlight the brutal tactics employed by the RSF, making Kenya's alleged support for the paramilitary group particularly concerning.

The presence of identifiable SAF soldiers, such as Major Al-Makki Abdul Quddus Ahmed and Ez-Aldeen Kamal, at the seized depot further substantiates the authenticity of the footage. These individuals, identified through uniform markings and social media activity, confirm SAF's presence in Salha following the RSF's retreat, lending credibility to the claims that the depot was indeed an RSF weapons hub.

While the precise origin of the munitions remains unclear, the presence of crates and boxes labelled "Kenya" has ignited suspicions that Nairobi may be entangled in Sudan's conflict in a more direct way than previously believed. The immediate questions centre around whether the weaponry was intentionally supplied to the RSF or if it reached Sudan through indirect channels. Additionally, there are concerns about the potential consequences Kenya might face from the international community if the allegations are proven true.