Marching for Israel: Kenyans Take Faith from the Prayer Closet to the Streets
A coalition of Christian organizations on Tuesday held a pro-Israel march across Nairobi’s Central Business District under the theme “Marching for Israel,” expressing solidarity with the people of Israel.
The march commemorated the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, in which more than a thousand Israelis were killed. Organizers described the event as a public declaration of Kenya’s support for the nation of Israel.
The approximately three-kilometre march, convened by King Jesus Celebration Church Worldwide, the Africa-Israel Initiative (AII), the Israel Allies Foundation, and the Faith Fathers of Kenya, drew participants from a broad coalition of faith-based organizations — including the Ezer of Israel, the Kenya Friends of Israel, and hundreds of evangelical clergy and believers.
Beginning at 10 a.m., the marchers walked through Nairobi’s Central Business District, accompanied by a live marching band, and concluded shortly after noon with a time of collective prayer.
Speaking in a televised interview on Kenya’s Elevate TV ahead of the march, the chairman, Bishop Paul Karanja, said, “We are here to declare that Israel is not alone. We will continue to stand with them.”
During the same interview, the event’s co-convenor and president of AII, Bishop Joshua Mulinge, said the government had provided support for the march, granting permits and providing police escorts throughout the route. “The Kenyan government has been very supportive,” he said. “We thank God for our head of state and for the entire government.”
The march aimed to call Kenyan Christians “out of the prayer closet and into the streets,” to publicly express solidarity with Israel beyond private prayer. Speakers emphasized that Christianity originated in Jerusalem and that the Church remains spiritually rooted in Israel.
Bishop Dennis Nthumbi, the Africa Director of the Israel Allies Foundation, said the continent’s relationship with Israel goes beyond religious, economic, and political ties, describing it as a “covenant friendship.” “Our friendship with Israel cannot be severed by politicians or ambassadors,” he said.
A Norwegian representative of the Africa-Israel Initiative, who serves as the media lead for AII, also joined the march, emphasizing his belief that support for Israel is grounded in biblical principles. “Yes, I am from Norway and I support Israel,” he said. “I believe that anybody who blesses Israel, as the Bible says, is blessed. I think it should be in every Christian’s heart to support Israel.”
On social media, Francis Gitau, founder of the Kenya Friends of Israel (KEFI), echoed the same sentiments, writing: “We the people of Kenya stand and support Israel as we remember Oct 7. May God bless Israel and may God bless Kenya.”
Reactions from bystanders were varied. At one point, a passerby who appeared to be a foreigner shouted “Shame on you!” as the group concluded the event. He later declined to be interviewed.
A young Kenyan woman admitted she was torn on the issue. “The Bible says we should support Israel, but when I look at the war and the suffering, I get confused,” she said. “I need lessons on ‘Israel for Dummies’,” she said with a faint smile.
As the crowd dispersed at midday, participants sang the national anthem, raising high the flags of Kenya and Israel. They prayed for the government of Israel, and the hostages still in captivity and their families. They also sought divine intervention for the safety of all Israeli citizens, and for peace across the wider Middle East.
The event concluded without incident under the watch of Nairobi security personnel. Organizers said they plan to replicate similar marches in other African countries where local Christian leaders have already expressed interest.
“We want to encourage other countries to come together and do what we have done,” said Bishop Karanja. “It’s time we all rise to the occasion and support Israel.”
