Alleged gold scammer and Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda has once again found himself at the center of public attention following the resurfacing of a video showing him welcoming Sudanese paramilitary leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti, at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) last year.
The footage, initially shared in January 2024, captures Jhanda alongside other Kenyan officials receiving Hemedti, who was in the country for discussions with President William Ruto.
However, unlike the routine diplomatic greetings exchanged by others in the delegation, Jhanda’s warm embrace and shoulder tap with Hemedti have raised eyebrows, fueling speculation about his alleged involvement in illicit gold dealings.
Sudan’s Gold Trade and Its Global Impact
Sudan is Africa’s third-largest gold producer, with billions of dollars’ worth of the precious metal exported annually.
However, much of this trade occurs through unofficial channels, with gold reportedly smuggled to markets such as Dubai, where it is refined and sold internationally.
A Bloomberg report from February 2025 highlighted that Sudan’s gold production has surged since the country’s civil war intensified, raising concerns that illicit gold revenues could be funding armed conflict.
Hemedti, as the commander of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), is a dominant figure in Sudan’s gold industry.
His forces have controlled key mining regions, including the Jebel Amer mines in North Darfur, and reports suggest that a substantial portion of Sudan’s gold is trafficked outside the country, with the United Arab Emirates frequently cited as a primary destination.
U.S. Sanctions and Heightened Scrutiny
In January 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on Hemedti and the RSF, citing alleged human rights violations and financial networks linked to the ongoing conflict.
These sanctions aim to disrupt the RSF’s funding sources, including gold revenues.
The international crackdown on illicit gold trade has increased scrutiny on individuals and entities with perceived ties to figures such as Hemedti.
Given Jhanda’s previous entanglements in gold-related controversies, his association with the Sudanese leader has prompted renewed public interest and speculation.
Jhanda’s Past Controversies
Zaheer Jhanda has previously been linked to high-profile gold-related disputes. In 2021, he was named in a reported KSh 400 million gold scam involving Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai.
Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) identified Jhanda as a person of interest, alleging that he had misrepresented himself as a close associate of then-Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
Jhanda, however, denied any wrongdoing, asserting that his company merely provided consultancy services to Zlivia, a Dubai-based gold trading firm.
Beyond gold, Jhanda has also been linked to other controversies, including a KSh 140 million land compensation case involving Altana Corporation Ltd and the National Land Commission.
Additionally, he was mentioned in the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) compensation dispute, where reports claimed he sought KSh 200 million from a church in Ongata Rongai for consultancy services.
In September 2023, Jhanda’s name resurfaced in connection with an alleged KSh 1 billion gold scam involving two other legislators.
The controversy escalated when blogger Cyprian Nyakundi implicated Jhanda in the case, leading to a defamation suit that some described as a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) intended to silence criticism.
The Dubai Connection
Dubai has long been identified as a major hub for illicit gold trade, with Sudan being one of its key suppliers. A 2024 report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime estimated that 80% of Sudan’s gold is smuggled to Dubai, where it is processed and sold globally. This trade has allegedly provided financial backing to various armed groups, exacerbating instability in Sudan.
Jhanda’s ties to Dubai’s gold market, along with his Arab heritage and reported connections to influential figures in the Gulf region, have led to speculation regarding his role in these transactions. While he has consistently denied any illegal activities, questions persist about the extent of his business dealings and affiliations.
Unanswered Questions and Kenya’s Role
The resurfacing of Jhanda’s interaction with Hemedti has raised broader concerns:
•What is the nature of Jhanda’s relationship with Hemedti? Is it strictly diplomatic, or does it extend into business dealings?
•Could these associations expose Kenya to international scrutiny or diplomatic challenges?
•What steps are Kenyan authorities taking to address potential illicit gold networks operating within the country?
Kenya’s position as a regional transit hub has made it a focal point in gold smuggling operations, with JKIA reportedly serving as a key transit point.
Allegations of high-level complicity in such activities remain unproven but continue to generate debate.
As international enforcement efforts intensify, the intersection of political influence, gold trade, and conflict financing remains a critical issue.
Whether Jhanda’s interactions with figures like Hemedti amount to mere diplomacy or something more remains to be seen.
