Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Korir Sing’Oei has revealed that the government has distanced itself from a request to the African Union by Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o.
In a statement on Thursday, November 16, the PS stated that Kenya will not be cutting diplomatic ties with Israel because of the ongoing conflict with Palestine.
Additionally, he noted that that Kenya was calling for an immediate ceasefire between the two waring nations.
“Kenya has not taken any decision to server diplomatic ties with Israel nor is the matter under consideration.
“Kenya continues to call for an immediate ceasefire and resumption of dialogue to resolve the difficult issues that underpin the current escalation,” he stated.
Also, Sing’Oei called out the Kisumu Governor for addressing matters of foreign policy despite not being under his docket.
“Foreign policy is the exclusive domain of National Government. Kenya abhors the gross violation of international humanitarian law in Gaza,” he added.
Also Read: Raila Odinga Differs with Ruto’s Stand on Israel-Palestine War
Nyong’o Order to AU Over Israel Conflict
The PS was referring to a statement issued by the Kisumu governor on November 14, calling on the African Union to ask its member states to cut diplomatic ties with Israel.
In addition, Nyong’o lamented that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine affected many countries across the world, faulting Israel for fueling the conflict and invading the nation.
“The bloody 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.
“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,” he stated.
Ruto Changes Stance on Israel War
On the other hand, on November 11, President William Ruto issued a statement on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine changing stance on his previous position.
Speaking during a meeting with the Crown Prince of Saudi, Mohammed Bin Salman, Ruto stated that the Kenyan government was against all acts of terrorism and illegal occupation.
He also noted that Kenya regarded Palestine as a legitimate country on its own right.
Also Read: Ruto Issues 265-Word Statement on Israeli, Palestine Conflict
“We believe that terrorism cannot be an answer to any conflict, neither can occupation,” decreed the President during his speech.
“We also believe that Palestine should be a free state and we stand for a two-state solution as a means of resolving the conflict,” he stated.
Ruto Earlier Statement on Hamas
The statement contradicted his earlier sentiments on October 7, when he affirmed Kenya’s support for Israel explaining that there was no justification for the surprise attack meted on Israeli nationals.
“The international community must mobilize to bring the perpetrators, organizers, financiers, sponsors, supporters and enablers of these reprehensible criminal acts of terrorism to account and speedily bring them to justice,” Ruto stated.
