Governor Anyang Nyongo of Kisumu has voiced his opinion on the Israel-Gaza conflict, calling on Kenyan company Bidco to cut off its trade with Israel.
Governor Nyongo said in a statement on Tuesday, February 19, that Israel is already the target of international condemnation for what many have called genocide, having launched a massive attack on Gaza that has claimed the lives of at least 25,000 Palestinians.
According to statistics from the United Nations (UN), thousands of Palestinians have been injured, and at least 1.9 million have been displaced as a result of the war in Gaza.
Following a meeting between Mr. Vimal Shah, the chairman of the Bidco Group, and an Israeli Economic and Trade Mission last week in Kenya, Governor Nyong'o feels that Bidco ought to back out of any potential collaboration with Israel.
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"Last week, an Israeli Economic and Trade Mission was in Kenya to meet Bidco Group Chairman, Mr Vimal Shah during which they discussed collaboration with Israeli companies in the FMCG sectors," Governor Nyongo said.
"We are calling our brother Vimal to restrain his company from taking this move in line with the decisions taken by the United Nations Organization and the International Court of Justice."
According to the head of Kisumu County, implementing a two-state solution is the only way to end the hostilities between the two nations.
Meanwhile, foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said that all EU nations, except Hungary, demanded an "immediate humanitarian pause" in the Gaza conflict on Monday.
Following Hamas's attack on October 7, the European Union has struggled to come up with a unified response to Israel's military operation.
But Borrell said foreign ministers from 26 states had agreed on a statement calling for "an immediate humanitarian pause that would lead to a sustainable ceasefire."
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The EU nations also reaffirmed their demands that Israel refrain from attacking Gaza City, which has developed into the primary area of refuge for those affected by the conflict.
Up until now, several EU countries, including Germany, have been hesitant to demand an "immediate" cessation of Israel's operations. It has avoided appearing to support any action that would restrict Israel's ability to defend itself.
According to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures, the war began on October 7, when Hamas launched its unprecedented attack in southern Israel that resulted in the deaths of about 1,160 people, mostly civilians.
The health ministry in the territory controlled by Hamas reports that over 29,000 people, primarily women and children, have died as a result of the Israeli military operation in Gaza.
About 250 hostages were taken by Hamas, which is regarded as a "terrorist" organization by the US, the EU, and other governments. Of those, 130 are still in Gaza, with 30 of them, according to Israel, believed to be dead.
Israel has threatened to continue its offensive, including in Rafah, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan unless Hamas releases all hostages.
