Human rights activists demand Kenya take action against Gaza genocide as thousands rally in support of Palestine in Nairobi

Civic groups and human rights activists have called on the Kenyan Government to take a firm stand against violations of international law in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, urging immediate action to protect Palestinian rights and hold perpetrators accountable.

This comes as thousands of Muslims rallied at Nairobi’s Uhuru Park on Sunday, in solidarity with Palestinians, chanting “Free Palestine!” and raising funds for the Gaza Medical Fund. Participants also took part in a tree-planting exercise to support the medical initiative, highlighting local efforts to mobilise humanitarian support.

In a statement on Sunday, Amnesty International Kenya described the ongoing violence as a “relentless assault on universal human values” and demanded an end to the occupation, apartheid system and loss of civilian lives.

“Today, we stand here as fellow Kenyans outraged by the ongoing tragedy in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Livestreamed into all our homes, we are witnessing the staggering loss of Palestinian lives and a relentless assault on the universal values that bind us together as a global family,” Amnesty International Kenya Section Director Irungu Houghton said.

Houghton urged an end to what he described as the “genocide in Gaza, the unlawful occupation, and the apartheid system that denies Palestinians the most basic of rights,” stressing that the conflict is a test of Kenya’s commitment to justice and international law.

He highlighted that the International Court of Justice has identified a real and imminent risk of genocide, while the United Nations has called for Israel’s withdrawal from occupied territories and recognition of Palestinian self-determination.

“The time has come to pull the plug on the political and economic systems that enable Israel’s crimes,” Houghton said.

He called on Kenya to issue clear statements condemning violations of international law, vote in favour of UN resolutions protecting civilians and ensuring accountability and work through African and international channels to support a two-state solution.

Houghton urged Kenyans to use their platforms to “amplify voices for Palestinians and hold those in power accountable,” describing the struggle for Palestinian rights as part of a global fight for human dignity and against impunity and racism.

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Gaza, has reported that Israeli authorities have committed four of the five genocidal acts defined under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

These include killing, causing serious bodily or mental harm, imposing conditions of life designed to destroy Palestinians in whole or in part and measures aimed at preventing births.

“The Commission finds that Israel is responsible for the commission of genocide in Gaza,” Navi Pillay, Chair of the UN Commission, said.

“It is clear that there is an intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza through acts that meet the criteria set forth in the Genocide Convention.”

Other Topics To Read

• Middle-East
• National
• gaza crisis
• gaza genocide
• Kenya Palestine Solidarity Movement
• kenya palestine vote
• palestine displacement
• Kenya Palestine Coalition
• Human rights activists demand Kenya take action against Gaza genocide as thousands rally in support of Palestine in Nairobi
• Headlines

The report details that Israeli forces have imposed a total siege on Gaza, blocked humanitarian aid, destroyed healthcare and education systems, targeted children, carried out sexual and gender-based violence and attacked religious and cultural sites. It also notes that statements by Israeli authorities confirm genocidal intent.

Pillay warned that Israel has “flagrantly disregarded” orders from the International Court of Justice and continued its “strategy of destruction” over the past two years. The Commission noted that Israeli leaders, including President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, have incited genocide and that the state has failed to punish those responsible.

“The international community cannot stay silent on the genocidal campaign launched by Israel against the Palestinian people in Gaza. Every day of inaction costs lives and erodes the credibility of the international community,” Pillay said.

The Commission called on Israel to lift the siege, allow humanitarian access and for states worldwide to halt arms transfers that could aid genocidal acts and hold perpetrators accountable.