Hundreds protest in Nairobi, call on world leaders to act on Gaza crisis

Hundreds of Kenyans on Sunday demonstrated in Nairobi, protesting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where it is estimated that over 65,000 have been killed.

The protest, which began with a convoy of motorbike and car riders from Adams Arcade, ended at Uhuru Park, where attendees expressed solidarity with Palestinians and condemned the ongoing violence.

Speakers at the peaceful protests drew parallels between the situation in Gaza and Africa's colonial past.

Among them was Hanifa Aden, a human rights defender, who said, “...we are here to show our solidarity for Palestine. It is not okay for children to be bombed, this is the most documented genocide ever...”

Irungu Houghton, Executive Director of Amnesty International Kenya, described the invasion of Gaza as "worrying" and called for an end to the "genocide." 

“...the concern that we have today is not a religious concern, not a concern even for Palestine alone. It is a concern of the entire planet,” he said.

Other prominent figures who attended the protest included former senator Billow Kerrow and National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF) Chairman Abdillahi Abdi, who called on world leaders to make more concerted efforts to end the conflict.

The protest coincides with the United Nations General Assembly where world leaders gather in New York this coming week and the conflict is expected to be a key topic of discussion. 

The demonstration also comes as several countries, including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, have formally recognised Palestinian statehood.