Keypoints:
- MPs urge formal recognition of Palestine
- Lawmakers condemn Gaza siege as illegal
- Kenya joins growing international outcry
A SURGE of parliamentary unity swept through Kenya’s National Assembly on August 6 as lawmakers demanded that the government officially recognise the State of Palestine. The debate, triggered by the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, marked a rare moment of cross-party consensus — and a bold diplomatic stance by one of Africa’s most influential democracies.
The motion, introduced by Kisumu Town West MP Shakeel Shabbir, was the catalyst for more than 20 MPs to deliver emotionally charged contributions condemning Israel’s military actions and expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people.
‘Kenya must take a stand. We must recognise the State of Palestine — but also affirm Israel’s right to exist,’ Shabbir told the House. He compared the situation in Gaza to the 1994 Rwandan genocide and called on the international community to stop turning a blind eye to what he described as ‘one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our time’.
Lawmakers accuse Israel of violating international law
Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei presided over the two-hour session, which exposed the depth of concern among Kenyan legislators.
Kamukunji MP Yussuf Hassan said: ‘The people of Gaza are civilians — not militants — and yet they are being deprived of food, water, electricity and medicine. This is collective punishment.’
He described Gaza as ‘a prison under siege’ and accused Israel of ‘weaponising starvation’ by blocking aid convoys — an act he labelled a clear violation of international and humanitarian law.
Mandera North MP Abdullah Bashir Sheikh, vice-chair of the National Assembly’s Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee, reinforced this stance.
‘This is not just about Muslims — Palestinian Christians and their churches are also under attack. This is an assault on humanity itself,’ he said.
He drew a firm distinction between the people of Israel and their government, condemning the latter’s actions while calling for peaceful coexistence.
MPs: ‘Palestine must be allowed to exist’
Wajir North MP Ibrahim Saney went further, accusing Israel of attempting to wipe out an entire population.
‘This is the deliberate targeting of civilians. People queueing for food and water are being killed. What is this, if not extermination?’ he asked.
Migori MP Fatuma Mohammed broke down in tears as she highlighted the staggering human cost of the war.
‘Over 61,000 dead — 28,000 of them women. These are mothers, daughters, life-givers. What we’re witnessing is an attempt to erase Palestine from existence,’ she said.
Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi challenged the global inaction:
‘More than 170 UN member states recognise Palestine. Why haven’t others followed suit? Why do some still hesitate to support a people fighting simply for dignity and survival?’
Rising public pressure echoes in parliament
The parliamentary call reflects growing public sentiment across Kenya. In late 2024, Daystar University in Nairobi scrapped a planned ‘Zion Forest’ partnership with the Israeli embassy after a wave of student-led protests forced the institution to withdraw.
That incident, followed by numerous demonstrations and statements of solidarity from Kenyan civil society, has heightened pressure on the government to take a firm position.
As the debate wrapped up, no formal vote was taken — but the message from the House was unmistakable. Kenyan MPs are aligning the country with the global movement backing Palestine’s right to exist as an independent state and calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza.
