The Muslim community in the country has called on Kenyans to support victims of the ongoing war in Palestine.
Under the Voice of Palestine banner, the group has called for support saying that very few hospitals in Gaza are functioning.
Thousands of people from Gaza are nursing severe injuries as a result of Israeli bombardment.
The death toll has crossed 42,000 since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel that prompted retaliatory attacks.
The Voice of Palestine, is a consortium of different organisations including Jamia Mosque Committee, Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) and National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF), Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) Kenya Association of Muslim Medical Practitioners (KAMMP) and several mosques around Nairobi.
In a statement, they said Kenyans, like other people from around the world, need to respond to the plight of the people of Gaza.
They said Kenyans have raised over Sh50 million to assist humanitarian efforts in Gaza in the past.
“The Voice for Palestine is working with internationally recognised agencies to help the people of Gaza receive medical treatment in and outside the enclave. Through this initiative, we hope to raise at least 500,000 US dollars towards the Gaza Medical Campaign,” the statement reads in part.
The Israeli attack on Gaza has spilt over into Lebanon in recent days where more than 1,000 people have so far died amid massive destruction and displacements.
“As we launch this campaign, we call upon Kenyans from the diverse backgrounds to join the efforts to support the medical needs of the people of Palestine,” the Voice for Palestine said.
“Support can be made through Mpesa pay bill number 150770; Account: Gaza Medical.”
The group called on the government not to relent in its efforts to support the Palestinian people achieve freedom.
They said that Kenya is known for her role in fostering peace notably in South Sudan and other African countries.
“As the world stands on the edge of a potential eruption of a full-fledged war in the Middle East, we call upon the Kenyan government to join the global efforts to call for peace and stability in the region and an end to the carnage in Gaza and Lebanon.”
They said that Kenya, like Palestine, has lived through a harrowing tale of colonial oppression where thousands were forced to live in concentration camps and massacred for fighting for freedom.
“Almost the whole of the population of Gaza, more than 2 million people, have been displaced by the conflict which has been raging on for the past year,” the Voice for Palestine said. Gazans are living under the threat of starvation and are in need of urgent relief aid.
By Star