Kenya deeply concerned about deteriorating Gaza situation

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Sing’oei Korir has expressed Kenya’s deep concern over the worsening situation in Gaza following the conflict between Palestine and Israel. This recent conflict started on October 7, 2023.

In a statement posted on X on Friday, the PS said the situation in Gaza is a matter of great concern to Kenya and urged the nations across the world to mobilise and bring to a halt the escalating Israel-Palestinian conflict.

This, he said, will be a vital move to avoid more catastrophic losses that will imperil any efforts of a peaceful resolution.

“Following the October 7, 2023 terror attacks by Hamas, and subsequent military operations by Israel in Gaza, Kenya has actively engaged on the matter, particularly in strongly calling for humanitarian ceasefires and advocating for respect of international humanitarian law,” he said.

At least 23,469 Palestinians have been killed and 59,604 injured in Israeli strikes on Gaza since October 7, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.  Israel reports that more than 1,200 Israeli and foreign nationals have been killed, amongst them 36 children and around 5,400 others have been injured as of January 7.

The PS notes that Kenya has remained consistent in her support for the Palestinians’ struggle for an independent and sovereign State and also continues to uphold the right of the State of Israel to her independence, security and integrity.

“This philosophy was reiterated by President William Ruto during the Saudi-Africa Summit that was held in Riyadh in November 2023, where President Ruto stated Kenya’s policy – consistent with the United Nations’ pronouncement on this matter – for the implementation of a viable sovereign contiguous State of Palestine, living side by side, in harmony and peace, with the State of Israel,” he says.

He noted that the President’s pronouncement over the matter has guided Kenya’s subsequent diplomatic engagements, as follows;

Kenya has;

• Participated in all meetings that have been called by the President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), in New York, on the Israeli-Palestine Question, including the Tenth Emergency Special Session on Illegal Israeli actions in occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
• Delivered a strong statement during the 39th plenary meeting of the 10th Emergency special session of the General Assembly, on October 27, 2023, after voting in favour of the Jordanian resolution, and dissuaded the world from using the grave situation in Gaza for short-term geostrategic advantage and instead pay heed to the immense suffering of innocent Palestinian and Israeli civilians.
• Similarly participated in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) debate on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) on November 27, 2023, during the commemoration of Resolution 1325
• Voted in support of all General Assembly (GA) resolutions calling for a humanitarian ceasefire. Two General Assembly resolutions have been adopted since October 7, 2023.
• Co-sponsored UN Security Council resolutions calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza in the Council’s meetings of December 8, 2023 and December 19, 2023. Most of the draft resolutions were unfortunately vetoed. Only two resolutions have since been adopted by the UNSC since October 7, 2023.
• Supported the cause of Palestine under the 4th Committee of the UN that deals with Special Political and Decolonization matters.
• Called for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in other general debates on peace and security within the First Committee at the UN in New York.
• Submitted proposals under International Peace and Security for the Pact of the Future during the 78th UN General Assembly, to address the Israel-Palestinian Conflict.
• Participated in and addressed the plenary on November 30, 2023, during the commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. This was convened at the United Nations Office, Nairobi (UNON), where Kenya reiterated her support for the Palestinian peoples and their quest for an independent and sovereign State of Palestine.
• The Ministry has bilaterally engaged with key diplomatic missions in Nairobi, particularly those that are concurrently members of the Arab League and of the Africa Union (AU), with a view to finding a common position that will advance the Palestinian cause.