Governor Nyong’o wants Bidco to stop doing business with Israel
Kisumu Governor Prof Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o has asked Bidco Oil Refineries to stop doing business with Israel over the Gaza conflict.
In a statement on Tuesday, February 19, Governor Nyongo said Israel, which has mounted a large-scale attack on Gaza, that has killed at least 25,000 Palestinians, is already facing global condemnation over what many have termed genocide.
The county boss noted that Bidco should henceforth stop engagement with Israel in line with decisions taken by the United Nations Organisations and Internal Court of Justice.
“I have noted with concern a decision by one of Kenya’s largest companies – Bidco Oil Refineries Ltd to do business deals with Israel, a country facing global condemnation for its bloody attacks on the Palestinians,” part of his statement read.
Also read: Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’oei warns Nyong’o on Israel-Palestine comments
He was responding to last week’s meeting that saw an Israeli Economic and Trade Mission meet Bidco Group chairman Vimal Shah.
“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.”
The Kisumu County boss stated that the only way to resolve the conflict between the two countries is to adopt a two-state solution.
Bidco Africa is East Africa’s leading manufacturer of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG).
This is not the first time the governor has called out Israel. In November 2023, he urged the African Union leadership and other progressive forces in Africa to cut diplomatic ties with Israel.
In a statement dated November 14, 2023, Nyong’o said the AU leadership should condemn with utmost staunch what Israel is doing.
“We would like to appeal to progressive forces in Africa, led by AU to call upon its member governments to immediately break diplomatic ties with Israel in solidarity with our comrades in Gaza and West Bank,” part of the statement read.
Also read: Nyong’o calls for AU to cut diplomatic ties with Israel over Gaza
He said the move would be geared towards showing solidarity with people in Gaza and the West Bank, calling for immediate action from progressive forces in Africa.
“It is now clear that Zionists Israel, much against the interest of all progressive forces in the Arab world and Israel herself, is planning a major bloody invasion of Gaza and the West Bank sooner than later,” part of the statement read.
He said the situation would in turn worsen the already grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and West Bank.
The conflicts between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers have brought widespread death and destruction in Gaza and days of rocket fire on Israeli towns.