NAIROBI, Kenya – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s criticism of President William Ruto’s involvement in peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), terming his remarks as “reckless and regrettable.”
Musyoka, a former vice president and one-time Foreign Affairs Minister, questioned Ruto’s ability to mediate in the escalating DRC conflict, accusing him of sidelining retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, who previously served as the East African Community’s (EAC) peace envoy for the region.
“When Ruto took over, the mistake he made was removing Uhuru Kenyatta as the chief mediator. He refused to facilitate him, and the whole thing went to Angola. How does Ruto think he can solve the DRC crisis yet he has failed in Kenya?” Musyoka said on Saturday while addressing a function in Kilome, Makueni County.
Ruto, who chairs the EAC, has been holding talks with regional leaders to push for a ceasefire amid growing unrest in the DRC.
Last week, the EAC urged the Congolese government to engage all stakeholders, including the M23 rebels, who recently captured Goma and have been advancing south.
Responding to Musyoka’s remarks on Wednesday, the Foreign Affairs Ministry rejected his assertions, stating that Kenya has no vested interest in the DRC conflict beyond advocating for peace and stability.
“The crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has nothing to do with Kenya or its leadership. We do not share borders, nor do we have any interest in the DRC other than peace, stability, and prosperity for its people,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry further criticized Musyoka, accusing him of political posturing and misrepresenting Kenya’s role in regional diplomacy.
“Kalonzo’s attempt to link President Ruto with the issues in DRC is not only an overstretch in his political witch hunt but also reckless, especially for a leader who served for a long time as a Minister of Foreign Affairs and was supposed to understand better the DRC dynamics,” the statement added.
The conflict in the DRC, which has deep historical roots, has long been a source of instability in the region, with successive leaders attempting to broker peace since the 1960s.
The latest fighting has exacerbated tensions, with international actors closely monitoring the situation as mediation efforts continue.
