12 May 2026
Sovintern statement on the arrest of 19 WAIP activists
On May 12, Kenyan police arrested 19 activists of the World Anti-Imperialist Platform (WAIP) for participating in a protest against French neocolonialism in Nairobi. Among those detained is the well-known professor and public activist Dimitrios Patelis. The demonstration formed part of the conference program titled “Anti-Imperialism and Anti-Fascism in Africa,” organized by WAIP in response to the “Africa Forward” Summit convened by France to expand its influence in East Africa. The WAIP conference was also timed to coincide with the 81st anniversary of the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War.
Previously, on February 25, Kenyan security forces arrested and tortured Booker Omole, leader of the Communist Party of Kenya (CPM-K). This organization is also a member of WAIP and served as the host for the current conference of the international body. The Party’s Central Committee has already issued a formal protest regarding the incident.
The administration of Kenyan President William Ruto is known for brutal repression against all organizations and activists expressing dissent toward his domestic and foreign policy course. For instance, millions of people participate annually in summer protests across Kenyan cities, driven by a deep social crisis and widespread poverty. These demonstrations are suppressed by force using special means, including rubber bullets. Due to their deployment during protests in 2024, more than 60 people have lost their lives.
Supporters of the International Socialist Network SOVINTERN express solidarity with all detained WAIP members and call upon all steadfast anti-imperialist forces to lend their support. Political arbitrariness employed to silence dissenters opposing comprador neocolonial policies serving the interests of former metropoles—whether the United Kingdom or France—must not go unanswered, especially given that the actions of WAIP members were exclusively peaceful in nature.