Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyongo sent what many now view as a direct threat to Bidco Africa CEO Vimal Shah while weighing in on the Israel-Gaza conflict,the urging Kenyan manufacturer Bidco to halt business with Israel. Though Nyong’o didn’t call for repercussions, his intent could be a call to boycott the company’s products something that is now becoming a common pressure on multinational companies dealing with Israel.
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 war on gaza has also displaced thousands, with figures from the United Nations (UN), saying at least 1.9 million Palestinians have been displaced, with thousands bearing injuries.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o.
Governor Nyong’o revealed that Bidco held a secret meeting with Israel and are in the process to seal a multibillion deal with the warring country and now demands that Bidco pulls out of the deal which arose from a meeting between an Israeli Economic and Trade Mission and Bidco Group Chairman, Mr Vimal Shah, in Kenya last week.
“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.
Opposition Leader Raila Odinga.
This won’t be the first time that the company is targeted by the opposition and human rights groups, following disputed 2018 presidential election, National Super Alliance (Nasa) leader Raila Odinga called for a boycott of Bidco Oil products accusing the company of working with the Uhuru Kenyatta regime that they accused of rigging the elections followed by police violence against opposition protesters and in-line infringing on the rights of Kenyan citizens. Odinga also called for the boycott of other companies including Safaricom, Brookside and Haco.
Former Isiolo Deputy Governor, Simba Guleid calls for boycott of Bidco products.
Bidco Group deals in a range of household products from cooking oil to soap and also animal feed products.
Similar tribulations have also hit the company in the neighboring country in Uganda where petition by Bugala Farmers’ Association asked the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to cut ties with the cooking oil firm. They pointed out Bidco Africa’s failure to comply with court orders to compensate farmers for their land; and the company’s labour practices in East Africa and the firm’s alleged tax evasion in Kenya and deforestation of land for its palm oil production in Uganda.
Vimal however dismissed the claims of his firm ripping off farmers in Uganda terming the claims as baseless and malicious.
War in Gaza
Meanwhile, except for Hungary, all EU countries called for a “immediate humanitarian pause” in the Gaza war on Monday, according to foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
The European Union has struggled for a united response on Israel’s military operation following the October 7 attack by Hamas.
But Borrell said foreign ministers from 26 states had agreed a statement calling for “an immediate humanitarian pause that would lead to a sustainable ceasefire”.
The EU countries also reiterated their calls for Israel not to launch an assault on the Gaza city of Rafah, which has become the main shelter zone in the stricken territory.
Other EU nations such as Germany have been reluctant until now to call for an “immediate” halt in Israel’s operations. It has not wanted to be seen backing any move that could limit Israel’s right to defend itself.
Previously, UN human rights officials listed firms doing business in the West Bank are supporting the Israeli occupation of internationally recognized Palestinian territory. Israel said the UN is advocating a boycott.
This followed the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) call for a database listing all businesses supporting the settlements or engaging in “specific activities related to Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.”
According to the HRC, the businesses listed are involved in activities that “raise human rights concerns,” including facilitating settlement construction or providing security services, banking and demolition equipment.
Following the Israel invasion of Gaza, several global companies have stopped trading with Israel with mounting calls for product boycotts of companies dealing with Israel who’re seen to be fueling the conflict and destruction of Gaza.
Photo showing the destruction of Gaza Strip by Israeli forces. (Before and after).
The war started when Hamas launched its unprecedented attack of October 7 that left about 1,160 people dead in southern Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.
Over 29,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in the Israel military operation in Gaza, the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory says.
Hamas, considered a “terrorist” group by the United States, EU and other governments, also took about 250 hostages — 130 of whom remain in Gaza, including 30 presumed dead, according to Israel.
Israel has warned that, unless Hamas frees all hostages, it will push on with its offensive during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, including in Rafah.
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