Daystar University cancels tree planting agreement with Israel amid public backlash

Daystar University has rescinded a deal it signed with the Israel Embassy in Kenya on Monday which would have seen the Asian nation plant over 5,000 indigenous trees at the institution's main campus in Athi River, as part of a collective ecosystem dubbed the Zion Forest. 

The decision was announced by Daystar Vice Chancellor Prof. Laban Ayiro in a statement on Wednesday. This followed a public outcry by a section of Kenyans on social media who called out the institution for striking the deal with Israel amid its role in the ongoing Gaza war with Palestine which has led to the deaths of approximately 45,000 Palestinians.

In the statement, Prof. Ayiro stressed that the institution has remained neutral regarding the Gaza War and values the sanctity of all life.

"We are not in any way supporting the ongoing humanitarian conflict in the Middle East. Daystar University esteems the sanctity of life and advocates for the peaceful co-existence of humanity," Ayiro was quoted by the Nation.

Israeli Ambassador to Kenya Michael Lotem and Prof. Ayiro signed the MoU on Monday with the Israeli Embassy announcing it in a statement on X.

The Israeli Embassy stated that the creation of the Zion Forest project would provide a dynamic green space, enriching the learning environment for students at Daystar University’s Athi River Campus and augmenting ties between Nairobi and Jerusalem.

The project was initiated by First Lady Rachel Ruto and Yahel Margovsky-Lotem, the spouse to ambassador Michael Lotem.