Over 3,00 Kenyans Stuck in Sudan Amid Escalating Conflict

More than 3,000 Kenyans are stuck in Sudan amid escalating violence in which nearly 100 people have been killed and over 1,000 others injured.

Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua said Kenyans in Sudan have been forced to lock themselves inside their homes and are seeking help to return back to the country.

The cabinet secretary said the government is making plans to evacuate the citizens and they are already in talks with Kenya Airways who are on standby.

"We have a big problem in Sudan I am just looking at the reports, bombing is escalating, we have about 3,000 Kenyans stuck in Sudan and they are scared nobody is leaving their house," said Mutua.

"I want to assure Kenyans we are aligned, we have talked to Kenya Airways and they are ready to bring back Kenyans if things get out of hand."

At the same time, Mutua urged all Kenyans abroad to register themselves with the embassies in the respective host nations, saying this aids in easy communication and response in case of an emergency.

"Wherever you are, whenever you go overseas please register with the Embassy because you don't know what will happen. Those who have already registered, we are in touch with them and we have a problem finding those who did not. We are going to give a number so that if you have someone there they can call."

Fighting between Sudan’s army and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continued into its third day, with both sides claiming to control key sites in the capital Khartoum where residents sheltered from explosions.

On Sunday, the warring sides held a brief ceasefire to allow the wounded to be evacuated and doctors warned that the situation at hospitals in Khartoum is extremely difficult. Medics said the fighting was stopping both staff and medical supplies from reaching injured people.

The fighting is part of a vicious power struggle within Sudan’s military leadership, with the two men at its centre disagreeing over how the country should transition to civilian rule. 

The country has been under military rule since a coup overthrew President Omar al-Bashir in 2019.