Editor's Review

“We would like to appeal to the African Union to call upon all its member governments to immediately break diplomatic relations with Israel."

Kisumu Governor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o has called on the African Union (AU) to ask member countries to break diplomatic ties with Israel. 

In a statement on Tuesday, November 14, the Kisumu Governor said AU should not stand to let the Israel invasion of Gaza continue.

“We would like to appeal to the African Union to call upon all its member governments to immediately break diplomatic relations with Israel in solidarity with our comrades in Gaza and the West Bank,” read the statement in part.

Governor Nyong’o went on to note that the conflict between Israel and Palestine has had a ripple effect on many countries across the world.

“It is now clear that Zionist Israel, much against the interest of all progressive forces in the Arab world and Israel Herself, is planning a major bloody invasion of Gaza and the West Bank sooner rather than later. This will worsen the already grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank,” he added.

His statement comes days after President William Ruto changed his tune on Kenya’s stand on the Israel-Palestine war.

A Hamas strike in the Gaza Strip

Speaking on Saturday last week in Saudi Arabia, the Head of State said Kenya not only condemns terrorism but also abhors the illegal occupation of Israel in Gaza.

“We believe that terrorism cannot be an answer to any conflict neither can occupation. We believe that Palestine should be a free state and we stand for a two-state solution as a means of resolving conflict,” said Ruto.

The President in October condemned the Palestinians after Hamas attacked Israel and left a number of people dead and others injured.

"Kenya joins the rest of the world in solidarity with the State of Israel and unequivocally condemns terrorism and attacks on innocent civilians in the country. The people of Kenya and their government hereby express their deepest sympathy and send condolences to the families of all victims,” Ruto stated.

The Israel-Palestine war broke out on October 7 after Hamas forces attacked southern Israel. Israeli military forces retaliated with extensive strikes on the Gaza Strip and a subsequent invasion of Gaza.

According to Palestine authorities more than 11,100 Palestinians have been killed since the war started with two-thirds of them women and children.

Israel on the other hand has reported more than1,400 deaths with the majority in the Hamas attack on October 7.