President William Ruto on Saturday, April 15, urged peaceful mechanisms to resolve the unfolding situation in Sudan after fierce fighting broke out.
In a statement, the president implored all parties to consider dialogue for the sake of the stability of the country and its citizens.
Ruto added that the Kenyan government alongside other Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) states was willing to assist in brokering a truce between the parties and restore peace in the country.
The government offered an emergency contact for Kenyans residing in Sudan to call; +249 900 194 854.
"Kenya is greatly concerned about the developing crisis situation in Sudan. I implore all parties to address any differences through peaceful means for the sake of the security of the people of Sudan and stability in the country and the region, especially during this holy month of Ramadhan.
"The outbreak of violence will only reverse the significant gains Sudan has made, to the detriment of its lasting peace and prosperity," the statement read in part.
Moreover, the head of state was consulting with foreign partners to seek means to support mediation and dialogue in Sudan.
The Kenyan government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, advised all Kenyans in Sudan to urgently contact the embassy and stay indoors owing to the unrest in Khartoum.
The Ministry also urged Kenyan nationals in Khartoum to find a safe location indoors and stay in an indoor area until they were given a clear signal or advised to evacuate.
A number of world leaders including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union Commission called for the violence to cease.
National carrier Kenya Airways (KQ) also suspended all flights to and from Khartoum, Sudan until further notice.
KQ advised its passengers that they would monitor the situation and alert them when they would resume the services.
"Due to the ongoing unrest in Khartoum, Sudan, we have cancelled all flights into and out of Khartoum effective April 15, 2023. This is still a developing situation, we continue to monitor and will share updates as soon as we have more information," KQ's statement read in part.
A plane that was en route to Nairobi was redirected to Athens, Greece following the unrest. The airline's representative, who spoke to the media, indicated the decision was for safety measures.
The violence reportedly broke out after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacked the residence of Sudan's Army General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and subsequently claimed control of all airports.
This saw several aircraft set ablaze as all activities around the Khartoum International Airport halted.
