In a bold and controversial statement, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Omar Hassan has urged Kenya to officially designate Israel as a terrorist state.
Speaking at a press briefing on September 22, Hassan displayed a yellow document bearing the party’s emblem as he made the remarks.
“Kenya should declare Israel a terrorist country,” Hassan stated. “We must ensure that no business is conducted with Israel.”
His comments quickly sparked heated debate online, with the original report by The Kenya Times drawing hundreds of reactions, comments, and shares within hours. Supporters hailed Hassan’s position as courageous, while critics accused him of stoking diplomatic tensions and jeopardizing Kenya’s foreign policy.
The statement comes at a time of heightened global scrutiny of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, amid growing calls for accountability from international human rights organizations.
Despite this, Kenya has historically maintained diplomatic and economic ties with Israel, particularly in agriculture, technology, and security cooperation.
Hassan’s remarks represent a sharp departure from UDA’s typical foreign policy messaging, raising questions over whether this signals a broader policy shift within the ruling party or a personal opinion from the Secretary General.
Political analysts caution that such declarations could strain Kenya’s international relations and disrupt key trade partnerships.
However, others argue that Kenya has a moral duty to take a firm stand against global injustices, even if it means challenging influential allies.
As the debate continues to unfold, the government has not issued an official response. It remains unclear whether Hassan’s statement reflects a serious policy proposal or a moment of political posturing.
What is certain is that his remarks have reignited public discussion on Kenya’s place in global diplomacy—and the delicate balance between advocacy and international repercussions.
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