Hundreds of Kenyans gathered in Nairobi to express solidarity with Palestinians affected by the conflict in Gaza. The protesters, including motorbike riders and drivers, circled the capital city, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans such as “Free, free Palestine.”
The demonstration aimed to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with protesters denouncing the scale of the suffering. According to activist Shakira Wafula, “The situation in Palestine is dire, with children dying, women suffering, and hospitals and residential areas being bombed.” Wafula emphasized the need for an immediate end to the violence.
Some protesters also highlighted the historical parallels between the situation in Gaza and Africa’s colonial past. Nabil Mohamed addressed the crowd, stating, “The occupation of Gaza is reminiscent of Africa’s experience with colonization. We share a common history of colonization and cannot ignore the mass murders, genocide, and starvation of innocent children and women in Gaza.”
The current conflict began after a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people in Israel and led to mass abductions. Since then, Gaza’s health ministry has reported that over 62,000 Palestinians have been killed. Aid groups have warned of widespread starvation due to Israeli restrictions, although Israel has rejected these claims as propaganda by Hamas.
The international community has been urged to take action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. As the situation continues to deteriorate, the need for a peaceful resolution and an end to the violence remains a pressing concern. The Kenyan protest serves as a reminder of the global attention focused on the conflict and the need for a swift and effective response to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Gaza.
