Kenya Denies Issuing Passports to Sudan's Paramilitary Forces Amid Security Crackdown
Nairobi, 17 March 2026
Kenya’s immigration officials have firmly rejected explosive allegations that Kenyan passports were issued to members of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, including sanctioned RSF official Algoney Hamdan Dagalo and Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo. The denial comes as leaked immigration documents sparked public outcry and parliamentary scrutiny on 16 March 2026.
Parliamentary Scrutiny Intensifies
Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang appeared before the National Assembly Committee on Internal Security on Monday, 16 March 2026, to address the explosive allegations that have dominated public discourse [1]. The leaked documents from the Directorate of Immigration reportedly revealed that Kenyan passports had been issued to foreign individuals, including alleged members of the RSF [1]. The revelations triggered immediate public concern and prompted scrutiny from members of the public and opposition politicians, forcing the Immigration Department to mount a robust defence of its procedures [1].
Strict Verification Procedures Defended
Kipsang categorically rejected the allegations, emphasising that strict verification procedures are consistently applied to prevent non-citizens from obtaining Kenyan passports [1]. “I would like to assure every Kenyan that we issue these documents to Kenyans, mainly our IDs and birth documents. You cannot get any other document unless you have either an ID or a birth certificate,” Kipsang stated during the parliamentary session [1]. The passport issuance process requires applicants to present valid national identification or birth certificates, which are verified through government databases before approval is granted [1].
High-Profile Individuals Under Scrutiny
Among the most concerning cases highlighted in the leaked documents was Algoney Hamdan Dagalo, a senior RSF official who has been sanctioned by the United States for his role in the Sudan paramilitary outfit [1]. Dagalo is the brother of RSF commander Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, raising significant security implications given the RSF’s involvement in Sudan’s ongoing conflict and its attempts to seize control of the country [1]. Also appearing on the controversial list was Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, a frequent high-profile visitor to Kenya, who is allegedly accused of acquiring Kenyan citizenship through questionable processes [1].
Broader Security Reforms and Regional Implications
The controversy emerges against the backdrop of Kenya’s recent tightening of immigration controls as part of broader national security reforms aimed at preventing document fraud and cross-border criminal activity [1]. These enhanced security measures reflect Kenya’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of its immigration system whilst addressing mounting security challenges across the East African region [GPT]. For refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya, these stricter controls could potentially complicate access to official documentation, though the government maintains that legitimate applicants with proper verification documents will continue to receive services [alert! ‘potential impact on refugees not explicitly detailed in sources’].