Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has made explosive allegations against President William Ruto, accusing him of being "the real commander of RSF" and engaging in illicit gold trade with the paramilitary group’s leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti. Gachagua claims these dealings are fueling the ongoing conflict in Sudan, allowing Hemedti to purchase firearms.
In an interview with KTN, Gachagua asserted, "The real commander of RSF is not Hemedti, it is William Ruto. The money from gold is being cleaned through Kenya to buy firearms." He further alleged that Ruto coerced him into facilitating Hemedti's visit to Kenya in 2023.
"Ruto called me to his office and said, diplomatically, a president can only invite another president for a visit. But he had a vice president he wanted to invite to Kenya, so he wanted me to do it on his behalf," Gachagua stated, adding, "He had a letter, which I signed and after Hemeti came, we discussed about the Kenya and Sudan, then I took him to the President… Later on, I realised they are doing business."
Gachagua claims he later refused a second request from Ruto to invite Hemedti, citing international sanctions against the RSF leader and the devastating impact of the Sudanese conflict, which has resulted in an estimated 150,000 deaths and displaced over 11 million people. "I told him that as a father and a Christian, I cannot be a part of it and cannot invite him," Gachagua said.
According to Gachagua, Ruto responded with, "He told me I must invite him and asked me, Do you know how much I will lose by you not inviting him here?" The former DP alleges his refusal led to a purported forgery of his signature to issue the invitation, which was later retracted after he confronted Ruto. "He told me, You will see me!" Gachagua claimed, alleging Ruto accused him of blackmail.
"I am available to give evidence. I ask the international community to sanction William Ruto, and the Sudan crisis will be solved. Sanctioning Hemedti is pointless," Gachagua declared.
These allegations surface shortly after Kenya hosted RSF and allied groups in Nairobi for the signing of a transitional constitution, a move that Sudan condemned by indefinitely suspending imports from Kenya.
