Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura speaking on June 16, 2025 / HANDOUT
Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura has clarified that Kenya’s
role in the South Sudan war is only peace-building missions and humanitarian
support.
Mwaura said there have been false media reports concerning
the South Sudan war and Kenya’s involvement.
“So, this whole idea that Kenya is involved in anything
other than peace is untrue. We are involved in peacekeeping and conflict
resolution through the IGAD process, chaired and initiated by President William
Ruto, to bring the two warring factions, SAF and RSF, together, so that the
country can be secure. Only the Sudanese can find a solution to their conflict,” he said.
Mwaura said Kenya pledged USD 2 million for Sudan’s
humanitarian crisis during conferences in Paris (2024) and Addis Ababa (2025)
and has participated in the London-Sudan Conference of 2025.
He said Kenya opposes unconstitutional changes and condemns
unconstitutional government changes, adhering to the African Union and United
Nations principles of sovereignty and non-interference.
“As a country, we advocate for a peaceful resolution. We
prioritise dialogue, negotiation, and mediation as tools for conflict resolution.
Kenya supports a Sudanese-led peace process, considering it the only
sustainable solution to the conflict,” he said.
“We are also calling for regional and international
cooperation, under the African Union and the United Nations, in support of
Sudan’s peace process.”
Mwaura said Kenya remains committed to its diplomatic and humanitarian aid, affirming technical support, the hosting of refugees, and the provision of a safe space for dialogue, leveraging its historical peacebuilding role in the region.
The Spokesman said Kenya’s Ushirika Plan is now being used
as a model for refugee status across the world.
He said Kenya will continue to uphold it as a country and
will be sharing more information moving forward to brief the nation and the
world on the next steps.
According to Mwaura, Kenya remains a peace builder in the
country and in the region.
“Therefore, any further assertions to the contrary are
simply attempts by some to cast aspersions. There have been several conflicts
in the region, and Kenya has consistently distinguished itself as a beacon of
peace and tranquillity when it comes to matters of diplomacy,” he said.
“Anyone trying to claim that Kenya is involved in other forms
of activity should know that Kenya trades with its allies, partners, and
neighbouring states—something that is both normal and important. As of now,
Kenya is involved in finding a lasting solution through IGAD.”
He said the country is open to hosting the warring factions, SAF, RSF and any other interested parties, to facilitate dialogue and find a
lasting solution.
“We are non-aligned, we are non-partisan, and as I have said
before, the solution to this conflict does not lie with any single external
partner. External partners can only support the Sudanese people to find their
own solution to the crisis.”
Mwaura said the root of the conflict in the Sudan crisis is
largely from economic mismanagement and protests leading to the 2019 ouster of
President Omar al-Bashir, followed by a military-led transitional council under
General Abdel Fattah el-Burhan and Lieutenant General Mohamed Dagalo, otherwise
known as Hemedti.
The political
instability in the transitional Sovereignty Council formed in 2019 was
disrupted by a 2021 coup, dissolving civilian governance and leading to Prime
Minister Abdullah Hamdok’s resignation in 2022.
A civil war has been ongoing since 2023 between Burhan’s
Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Hamedt’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has
severely devastated Sudan, particularly Khartoum and Darfur.
Mwaura said eight million Sudanese have been displaced, 18
million are food insecure and 11 million urgently need health assistance due to
outbreaks of cholera, measles, and dengue fever.