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Rigathi Gachagua, leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party, is advocating for international travel sanctions against Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen. Gachagua accuses Murkomen of facilitating the presence of alleged war criminals from Sudan in Kenya, claiming this has damaged the country’s international reputation and security standing.
Africa-Press – Kenya. Democracy for Citizens (DCP) Party leader, Rigathi Gachagua, is pushing for international travel sanctions against Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, accusing him of enabling alleged war criminals from neighbouring Sudan to operate and reside freely within Kenya’s borders.
Gachagua claimed Kenya’s global image on peace and security has taken a serious hit, alleging that decisions made by President William Ruto and CS Murkomen have weakened the country’s standing in international diplomacy circles and in discussions on regional stability.
“For a long time now, Kenya’s image has been badly damaged as a result of various activities by William Ruto and CS Interior Kipchumba Mukomen. Kenya’s position in peace and security matters across the world is greatly mutilated as we speak,” the former DP said.
The former DP accused “the weakest link” in safeguarding national and regional security, raising concerns about how internal decisions may be affecting Kenya’s credibility and partnerships with global allies and neighbouring states.
At the centre of the claims is Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, the commander of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), whom Gachagua alleges has been granted refuge and privileges within Kenya.
Gachagua alleges that Hemedti, despite facing international sanctions, has been issued diplomatic documentation, such as a Kenyan Passport, and is residing in the upscale Nairobi neighbourhood of Runda, with state security reportedly assigned to protect him and members of his immediate family.
“As we speak, war criminals facing international sanctions, Hemeti and his four wives, they have been issued with diplomatic passports by Kichuba Mukomen,” highlighted Gachagua.
He added, “That warlord who has international sanctions has been given a home in Runda with his four wives, which is guarded by the General Service Unit (GSU). This is very embarrassing to the Kenyan nation.”
Effectively, Gachagua urged the international community to expand sanctions on Murkomen to prevent the CS from leaving the country.
“We are telling the international community that dealing with Hemeti and other war criminals is not enough.”
He further stressed to the International Community, “You need to impose sanctions on CS Kichuba Mukomen so that he cannot travel outside Kenya because he is the one giving diplomatic passports and giving safe haven to international criminals in Kenya.”
Hemedti’s RSF paramilitary group has been accused by multiple international bodies of carrying out widespread human rights violations during the ongoing war.
The RSF has been repeatedly linked to attacks on civilians, with reports detailing killings, displacement, and destruction of communities.
Tensions escalated further in February 2025 when RSF leaders and allied groups convened in Nairobi and signed a charter to establish a parallel government, a move that drew sharp criticism locally, in Africa, and beyond.
Sudan responded strongly by recalling its ambassador from Kenya, signalling a significant diplomatic rift and accusing Nairobi of undermining its sovereignty and indirectly supporting a faction it considers hostile and destabilising.
Regional bodies, including the African Union, also raised concerns, warning that the formation of a parallel government could deepen divisions in Sudan and risk further fragmentation of the already war-torn nation, with many experts terming the situation as “one of the greatest tests for Kenya’s diplomacy.”
Gachagua has also been accusing the Interior Ministry of organising goons countrywide to disrupt political rallies held by the alternative government, dubbed as the United Opposition, with him putting all the blame on the government for the mayhem and destruction of property that was experienced in the DCP Kikuyu rally.
He also faulted the Interior Ministry for organising goons to attack Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi in a Kisumu Cafe, a few weeks ago, where the senator almost lost his life.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has led to significant humanitarian crises and international concern over human rights violations. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group in Sudan, have been implicated in numerous atrocities, prompting global calls for accountability. Kenya’s diplomatic relations have been tested as it navigates its role in regional stability amidst these tensions, particularly with the presence of controversial figures like Hemedti in its territory. The situation poses a challenge for Kenya’s foreign policy and its commitment to international norms regarding war criminals.
