President Ruto Reaffirms Kenya’s Support for Two-State Solution in Israel-Palestine Conflict
President William Ruto has reiterated Kenya’s commitment to supporting a two-state solution as the path to peace in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. Speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, President Ruto called for the de-escalation of violence in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza, where conflict has persisted since October 2023.
“We support the pursuit of lasting stability in the Middle East through a two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine live side by side in mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. Kenya has recognised the Statehood of Palestine since 1989,” Ruto affirmed.
Kenya’s position aligns with that of most African nations, 52 out of 54 of which officially recognize Palestine as a state—exceptions being Cameroon and Eritrea. The African Union has consistently echoed the call for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Recognition of Palestinian statehood is not confined to Africa. Globally, countries such as France, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Portugal, Belgium, and Malta have recently reinforced support for Palestinian sovereignty. To date, 147 of the 193 UN member states have formally recognized Palestine.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has similarly stressed the urgency of pursuing a two-state solution, underscoring it as “the only viable path towards peace.” He emphasized that Palestinian statehood is a fundamental right, not a concession.
President Ruto’s statement reflects Kenya’s longstanding advocacy for peace, mutual respect, and stability—both in the Middle East and across the globe.
