An unwavering show of support for Gaza at Uhuru Park

They came in large numbers, in their thousands. The young, the old, men and women turned up on Sunday waving Palestinian flags in a show of solidarity for the people of Gaza and Palestine who are facing an unprecedented genocide never witnessed in the history of modern times.

For Nairobi residents who came from various areas of the city and surrounding areas, Uhuru Park was the final venue for the “Plant a Tree Save Gaza” programme-a campaign to raise funds towards supporting the Gaza Medical Fund as well as creating more awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.

From school children to business people, families to politicians, people from various backgrounds gathered together, united by one call; end the mass and wanton killings in Gaza. For the organizers, the event was not just a fundraiser but a message of unwavering support for the people of Gaza and Palestine.

Echoes of “Free Free Palestine” and “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free” reverberated across various Nairobi streets as the multitudes made their way to the historical grounds carrying placards, chanting slogans of justice, and amplifying the voices of Palestinians who continue to endure unimaginable suffering.

The event was organized by the Voice for Palestine, an advocacy group bringing together various Muslim organisations campaigning for the rights of Palestinians.

As a prelude to the event, a convoy of hundreds of motor bikes and vehicles bedecked with Palestinian flags made its way from Adams Mosque along Ngong Road through city streets to Uhuru Park.

Among the main highlights of the day was a symbolic tree-planting initiative where ten trees were planted as part of a mass tree-planting exercise planned for next month.

Emotional speeches from various leaders and students performing in school presentations highlighting the suffering of the people of Gaza moved many to tears, underscoring the depth of sympathy and emotions for Palestinians.

The Qatar-based television satellite channel Al Jazeera Arabic beamed the event live to a global audience.

At the event, community and religious leaders voiced their gross condemnation of the ongoing genocide perpetrated by Israel as they emphasized the obligation to support the Palestinian cause.

The Imam of Jamia Mosque Sheikh Jamaludin Osman underscored the need to support the people of Gaza asserting that it was an obligation not only for Muslims but also for people who embraced and cherished the principles of humanity.

We stand with our brothers in Palestine, we stand with humanity, we are here so that we can show support and if other people fail them, then Kenyans, Muslims and Christians have not failed in fighting for humanity,” he said.

The Imam urged Muslims to boycott products linked to companies that supported Israel, emphasizing that their consumption funds the genocide. “I want to send a message to our brothers who are still eating at KFC, I want to send a message to our brothers and sisters who are still drinking Coca-Cola; these are people who are supporting the genocide,” he said.

Leaders drawn from Muslim organisations and the civil society at the Uhur Park grounds

Speaking at the event, the National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF) chairman Sheikh Abdullahi Abdi condemned the apathy shown by states towards the people of Gaza saying it was a betrayal to the principles of humanity.

He said while the people of Gaza were being starved and faced daily recent bombings, there was apathy from powerful states, which he said continued to shield Israel and encourage the Zionist state to carry out the genocide. “While the people of Gaza continue to starve, only a few kilometres away trucks are lining up with food and essential humanitarian supplies and are denied entry to Gaza. It is a shame that world powers are looking on unfazed as Palestinians continue to be slaughtered with the support of powerful countries led by the United States,” he said.

“We want to thank the people of the world from Australia to Alaska, from Europe to South America, who stood have firm on the side of humanity. We ask them to continue until we see the freedom for the people of Palestine,” the NAMLEF chairman said.

The executive director of Amnesty International, Irũngũ Houghton urged Kenya to condemn Israel for violating international law in Gaza and for its illegal occupation of Palestinian territories. “We call on the New York and Geneva missions paid for by our taxes to consistently vote for UN resolutions to call for the end of hostility, protection of civilians, full accountability for war crimes, and the realization of a two-state solution,” he said.

Member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Hassan Omar said Kenya needs to be on the right side of history and come out in full support of the Palestinian cause. “We must join a coalition of countries to ensure that we support Palestine against the atrocities being committed by Israel. The people of Gaza must be free and take their country back,” he said.

The legislator who also serves as the secretary general of the ruling party, United Democratic Alliance (UDA), differed with the decision made by the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to proscribe the Egyptian-based Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. “I do not agree with Murkomen. I do not believe that the Muslim Brotherhood is a terrorist organisations. Instead, we need a resolution to gazette the Zionist state of Israel as a terrorist organisation,” he said.

The executive director of Amnesty International, Irungu Houghton faulted the government for not taking a lead role in the campaign to stop the genocide, saying that Kenya needs to be at the frontline in supporting United Nations resolutions condemning the genocide. ” We call on the government of Kenya to issue consistent and clear statements condemning all violations of international law in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. Our New York and Geneva must vote consistently at the United Nations to condemn hostilities, call for protection of civilians, and demand accountability for war crimes,” he said. “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 added.

The event was also addressed by member of the East African Legislative Assembly from Zanzibar, Dr. Abdallah Makame, Lagdera MP Farah Maalim and former Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow.