Kenya, China mark 80th anniversary of World War II victory

Kenya on Friday joined China and other nations in commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

The event, held at the Nairobi National Museum, featured speeches of reflection, solidarity, and renewed commitment to peace, justice, and multilateral cooperation. An accompanying exhibition showcases rare historical records, wartime photographs, and accounts of international solidarity during one of the darkest chapters in human history.

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Guo Haiyan, underscored China’s pivotal role in defeating fascism during World War II.
“The Chinese people suffered more than 35 million casualties during 14 years of resistance,” she said. “Our victory shattered the colonial ambitions of Japanese militarists and re-established China’s standing in the world.”

Ambassador Guo stressed the importance of upholding the war’s legacy by defending multilateralism, strengthening international law, and resisting historical distortion.
“Attempts to revise or deny the truth of World War II will invariably fail. Peace and justice must remain our guiding principles,” she said.

Kisii Governor Paul Arati, in a passionate address, challenged dominant Western narratives of the war, noting that China’s resistance began as early as 1931, years before the European conflict.
“This was not just China’s war—it was a fight for global freedom,” he said. “China’s resistance inspired others, including Africa, as we fought our own battles against colonial oppression.”

Arati praised historical solidarity between China and Africa, recalling China’s support for Ethiopia during Italy’s fascist invasion in 1935. He called for the war to be commemorated from a Global South perspective that recognizes the sacrifices of African nations alongside China’s.

Also speaking was the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Gender Affairs, who highlighted the disproportionate toll of war on women and children.
“War is never gender-neutral. Women and children suffer the most in conflict,” she said. “We must learn from history and ensure that our development agenda leaves no one behind.”

She proposed Kenya-China collaborations focusing on women’s economic empowerment, skills training, and inclusive development.

This year’s commemoration also coincides with the 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s return to China after Japanese occupation—an issue Ambassador Guo described as a “non-negotiable part” of the post-war international order. She thanked Kenya for its continued support of the One-China Principle, warning against external interference in China-Kenya ties.

“Some countries want to interfere in our relationship,” she said. “This is nothing more than Cold War mentality. Our cooperation is about mutual benefit and concerns no one else.”

As global tensions rise, Kenya’s participation in the commemoration signaled its continued commitment to peace, multilateralism, and historical truth. “From the ashes of war, we have the opportunity to build a peace where inclusion, equality, and justice prevail,” the PS said in her closing remarks.

The exhibition at the Nairobi National Museum will remain open to the public in the coming weeks, offering Kenyans a chance to reflect on a chapter of history that helped shape the modern world.