Israeli ambassador to Kenya Michael Lotem has criticised Nairobi’s alleged inconsistent stance on Palestine, citing contradictions between its public backing of Palestinian rights while privately assuring Israel of continued support.
In 2024, Kenya supported Palestinian rights and Palestine’s campaign to be a member state at the UN. In 2023, Kenya backed a UN General Assembly resolution for a Gaza ceasefire, while Kenyan opposition leaders openly condemned Israel.
In 2024, public pressure put to sleep a joint tree-planting project between Kenya and the Israeli embassy, an indication that that the pro-Israel stance is losing favor.
Despite this apparent shift, Kenya has historically maintained strong ties with Israel, receiving military support and reaffirming cooperation during President William Ruto’s 2023 visit. Meanwhile, the African Union has condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, where casualties range between 62,000 and 186,000.
So, is Kenya truly standing with Palestine or is it trying to appease both sides? But, more importantly, is Kenya really displaying inconsistency or showing a long overdue shift toward justice?
Sources
News
https://x.com/AdiadoMichael/status/1896899989374431359/photo/1
https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/2025-03-04-envoy-speaks-of-strained-kenya-and-israel-relations
Zion Forest
Daystar revokes deal with Israel for ‘Zion Forest’ after public backlash
Kenya vote at UN
https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/12/1144717
https://www.newsweek.com/full-list-countries-voted-give-palestine-un-power-1899399
Nairobi Israel ties
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sj5blgkn2
Palestine observer status
https://www.egyptindependent.com/au-grants-palestine-observer-status/
AU vs Israel
https://www.africanunion-un.org/post/international-day-of-solidarity-with-the-palestinian-people
https://apnews.com/article/african-union-israel-gaza-85c4b497463fe29c59fca5ffd987dd53
https://www.africanunion-un.org/post/international-day-of-solidarity-with-the-palestinian-people
Gaza wartime deaths
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/3/gaza-death-toll-rises-close-to-62000-as-missing-added
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/8/gaza-toll-could-exceed-186000-lancet-study-says
Uganda raid
https://allafrica.com/stories/200907060577.html
Kenya politician support for Palestine
https://kenyanforeignpolicy.com/kenya-criticised-for-abstaining-on-un-vote-to-end-israeli-occupation