Thirdway Alliance Party leader Ekuru Aukot has condemned President William Ruto’s "deafening silence" regarding the controversial issuance of Kenyan passports to officials linked to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

A burgeoning diplomatic and security scandal has engulfed the Kenyan immigration department, prompting fierce criticism from opposition figures. At the center of the storm is the alleged issuance of Kenyan travel documents to Algoney Hamdan Dagalo, a prominent figure associated with Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The controversy strikes at the heart of Kenya’s national security and its standing within the international community. The RSF has been heavily implicated in the devastating civil conflict in Sudan, raising severe ethical and legal questions about how and why its operatives would receive Kenyan citizenship documents. This development threatens to undermine Kenya's role as a neutral peace-broker in the Horn of Africa.

International Scrutiny and Security Implications

Speaking in a televised interview on Wednesday morning, Dr. Ekuru Aukot launched a scathing attack on the government's handling of the crisis. He articulated that the integrity of the Kenyan passport is now under intense global scrutiny, potentially jeopardizing the travel privileges of ordinary Kenyan citizens.

"Our passports are under intense scrutiny, and questions are mounting about how critical immigration decisions were made and who authorized them," Aukot stated. He warned that if the international community perceives Kenya as a safe haven or a logistical hub for sanctioned paramilitary leaders, the country could face severe diplomatic blowback, including tightened visa restrictions for its populace.

The situation casts a shadow over Kenya’s foreign policy, which has recently faced criticism for lacking the coherence and explicit direction seen in previous administrations. Analysts suggest this scandal is symptomatic of broader systemic vulnerabilities within the Directorate of Immigration Services.

The Call for Presidential Accountability

Aukot specifically targeted President William Ruto, arguing that the Head of State’s failure to address the nation on this matter is breeding public mistrust. The silence, Aukot argued, leaves a dangerous vacuum filled by speculation regarding state complicity in the affair.

"The president's silence on key concerns is fueling suspicion, with many now asking whether his inaction makes him complicit in the controversy," Aukot remarked. He demanded an immediate, transparent investigation into the immigration officials responsible for the vetting and approval of the passports in question.

• The Key Figure: Algoney Hamdan Dagalo, linked to the leadership of Sudan's RSF.
• The Allegation: Acquisition of valid Kenyan passports through opaque channels.
• The Risk: Degradation of the Kenyan passport's global ranking and potential diplomatic isolation.

Erosion of Regional Peace-Broker Status

Beyond domestic politics, this saga has profound implications for Kenya’s geopolitical posture. Historically, Nairobi has served as the diplomatic capital of East Africa, brokering peace deals from South Sudan to Somalia. Hosting or enabling figures actively involved in the Sudanese conflict severely compromises this carefully cultivated image of neutrality.

Governance experts are calling for an immediate overhaul of the immigration vetting protocols. They insist that without a definitive statement and corrective action from the highest office in the land, the integrity of Kenya's state institutions will remain fundamentally compromised. "We are losing our standing as an island of peace within a perilous neighborhood," warned critics, urging the administration to reaffirm its commitment to regional stability and internal security.