Hundreds of Kenyans took to the streets of Nairobi to express solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Motorbike riders and motorists waved Palestinian flags and chanted “Free, free Palestine,” condemning the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
Activists highlighted the toll on civilians, particularly children and women. Shakira Wafula said, “The genocide in Palestine has to stop. Children are dying, women are suffering. They are bombing hospitals and residential areas. Israel is threatening the very existence of Palestinians.”
Many protesters drew parallels between Gaza and Africa’s colonial history. Nabil Mohamed told the crowd, “What is happening in Gaza mirrors what Africa went through during colonization. We share the same oppressors and cannot remain silent while innocent people are being starved, killed, and oppressed.”
The conflict escalated after Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people in Israel and led to mass abductions. Since then, Gaza’s health ministry reports over 62,000 Palestinian deaths, while aid organizations warn of widespread starvation due to Israeli restrictions. Israel disputes these figures, calling them propaganda from Hamas.