Kenyan youth activists in Kamukunji stand in solidarity with Palestine on last Friday of Ramadan
The group further condemned the forced displacement of Palestinian families and accused the Israeli government of committing acts of genocide through ethnic cleansing and occupation policies.
A group of youth activists gathered at Shauri Moyo Mosque in Pumwani, Kamukunji sub-county, on the last Friday of Ramadan to mark Quds Day and express solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The activists, consisting of both Muslims and non-Muslims, issued a statement condemning Zionism, Israeli policies in Gaza and the West Bank, and what they describe as ongoing human rights violations.
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Javan Owala Ochieng, the coordinator of the Kenyan Youth in Solidarity with Palestine, read the statement on behalf of the group.
The statement described Zionism as a system of settler-colonialism and imperialist expansion, responsible for the systematic displacement and suffering of Palestinians for more than 75 years.
The activists compared the situation in Palestine to Africa’s colonial history, drawing a parallel between the struggles faced by Palestinians and those experienced by African nations under colonial rule.
"We condemn Zionism as a tool of settler-colonialism and imperialist expansion. The Zionist project has systematically dispossessed, displaced, and brutalised the Palestinian people for over 75 years. It is a structure of oppression that mirrors the colonial violence Africa endured, and we reject it in its entirety," reads part of the statement.
Forced displacement
The group further condemned the forced displacement of Palestinian families and accused the Israeli government of committing acts of genocide through ethnic cleansing and occupation policies.
Javan Owala Ochieng, the coordinator of the Kenyan Youth in Solidarity with Palestine, read the statement on behalf of the group. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)
The activists criticised what they described as international silence on the ongoing crisis, arguing that the lack of response from global leaders enables the continued suffering of Palestinians.
The blockade of Gaza was highlighted as a key issue, described as a form of collective punishment, restricting access to essential resources such as food, water, and medical aid.
They asserted that such restrictions amount to a war crime and called for accountability for those who support and fund these measures.
"We condemn the blockade and deliberate starvation of the people of Gaza. The intentional restriction of food, water, and medical aid is a war crime, an inhumane act of collective punishment. Those enabling and funding this genocide must be held accountable," the statement declared.
The youth activists urged the Kenyan government to take a clear position on the matter, emphasizing that neutrality in the face of oppression is equivalent to complicity. They referenced Kenya’s own history of anti-colonial struggle, arguing that the country should not ignore colonial oppression happening elsewhere.
"We call upon the Kenyan Government to take a stand with the oppressed. We remind our leaders that neutrality in the face of genocide is complicity. Kenya, a nation that fought against British colonial rule, must not turn a blind eye to colonial oppression elsewhere," the statement said.
The activists acknowledged the work of organizations and individuals who have shown support for Palestine. They expressed appreciation for those who have spoken out and encouraged them to continue their advocacy.
The gathering was also part of Quds Day, an annual event observed worldwide to express solidarity with Palestine. The activists reaffirmed their commitment to the cause, stating that they would continue to raise awareness and call for action against what they describe as ongoing injustices.
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