NAIROBI, Kenya – The Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in Nairobi has refuted claims that Kenya continues to export tea to Sudan despite a trade ban imposed on March 11, 2025.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the embassy asserted that since the ban took effect, no Kenyan products, including tea, have been imported into Sudan.
The diplomatic mission dismissed reports suggesting otherwise as “unfounded and inaccurate.”
“This decision has been fully implemented, and since then, no Kenyan products, including Kenyan tea, have been imported into Sudan,” the statement read. “Sudan remains firmly committed to upholding this trade policy as part of its sovereign economic and diplomatic considerations.”
The remarks come in direct contradiction to President William Ruto’s assertion that Kenya continues to export tea to Sudan.
Speaking during a joint media interview at Sagana State Lodge on Monday, Ruto assured Kenyan stakeholders that trade with Sudan remained active despite the announced ban.
“By the way, we are selling tea to Sudan, even after they said they are not buying our tea. The market itself has forced them,” Ruto said, emphasizing that demand for Kenyan tea remains strong.
On March 11, Sudan’s Ministry of Trade and Supply issued a decree suspending all imports from Kenya, citing national interests and diplomatic concerns over Kenya’s alleged ties with Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The suspension applies to all Kenyan products entering Sudan through any port, crossing, or airport.
Sudan’s Sovereign Council has accused Kenya of “hosting the Rapid Support Militia and its allies” and “sponsoring their activities and meetings,” citing this as the reason behind the trade suspension.
