Kenya endorses two-state solution amid Gaza crisis talks
While reaffirming Kenya's limited leverage in military affairs, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musali Mudavadi emphasised its commitment to diplomacy and called for an immediate ceasefire.
Kenya has taken a rare legislative step in codifying its support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, moving beyond the typical realm of diplomatic rhetoric.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi announced that the country's position is now formally enshrined in law through the 2025 sessional paper passed by Parliament, making Kenya one of the few nations to legislate its foreign policy stance on the matter.
Speaking in Nairobi during a meeting with envoys from the Arab League, Mudavadi described the war in Gaza as a tragedy of immense proportions, citing massive civilian casualties and the destruction of vital infrastructure.
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While reaffirming Kenya's limited leverage in military affairs, he emphasised its commitment to diplomacy and called for an immediate ceasefire.
In a move likely aimed at mending strained ties, Mudavadi also issued an apology over a previous government remark that had upset Arab states, clarifying that it did not reflect the official position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He threw Kenya's weight behind the upcoming UN summit on Gaza and praised Qatar's mediation efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a model of constructive engagement.
The diplomatic exchange revealed the fragility of Kenya's balancing act.
Though Nairobi has long expressed support for Palestinian statehood, its deepening ties with Israel—especially on security and technology—have occasionally prompted it to abstain or side with Tel Aviv at key multilateral forums, much to the frustration of Arab allies.
Palestinian Ambassador Hazem Shabat issued a stark reminder of the humanitarian toll of the conflict.
He condemned Israel's actions, from settlement expansion to the destruction of civilian infrastructure, describing them as violations of international law.
According to Shabat, over 56,000 Palestinians have died since October 2023, with millions displaced and Gaza's core infrastructure reduced to rubble.
He warned that the region faces a reconstruction bill exceeding $53 billion and a deepening humanitarian crisis, particularly among children.
Mudavadi used the moment to advocate for greater coordination between the Arab world and Africa's regional bodies, urging support for peace efforts spearheaded by the East African Community and SADC.
For Kenya, the challenge now lies in aligning its new legal stance with its foreign policy behaviour, particularly on multilateral platforms where consistency has often proven elusive.
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