During a joint press conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at State House, Nairobi, President William Ruto expressed support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
Ruto drew parallels between Malaysia’s peace initiatives in Eastern Asia and Kenya’s involvement in humanitarian efforts across Eastern Africa, including in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. “We also express support for America and President Trump’s intervention in the Sudan crisis, which has now escalated into a very serious humanitarian catastrophe,” Ruto said.
This development follows recent statements from U.S. officials confirming diplomatic engagement with Sudan. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently spoke with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan regarding efforts to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire. Trump had previously pledged to intervene at the request of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, announcing his intentions both at the Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, DC, and via his social media platform, Truth Social.
Earlier in the year, U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Senator Jim Risch accused the Kenyan government of enabling genocide due to Nairobi granting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) access to create a parallel government. Ruto has repeatedly dismissed these claims, denying involvement in arms smuggling or supporting either side in Sudan’s conflict.
In an interview with Al Jazeera in November, Ruto described the allegations as false and politically motivated, stressing Kenya’s commitment to promoting peace and dialogue in the region. He also emphasized that both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and RSF share responsibility for the ongoing violence.
The civil war in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has seen fierce clashes between SAF and RSF forces over control of key areas, including Khartoum. According to the United Nations, at least 3,384 civilians have died between January and June 2025, with the country on track to surpass 4,238 civilian deaths recorded in 2024.
Ruto’s backing of Trump’s intervention signals Kenya’s alignment with international efforts aimed at alleviating the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan
