Congolese Refugees in Nairobi Protest Ongoing Killings Targeting Banyamulenge in Eastern DRC
Congolese refugees residing in Nairobi, Kenya, staged a major احتجاج protest condemning what they describe as ongoing killings and acts of violence targeting the Banyamulenge community in various parts of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in Minembwe, Ndondo, Mikenke, and other areas of South Kivu and North Kivu.
The protest took place on Monday, April 20, 2026, beginning early in the morning at around 6:00 a.m. Large crowds, mainly composed of Congolese refugees, took to the streets of Nairobi’s capital, expressing strong outrage over what they called continued atrocities against their community.
Participants came from different parts of Nairobi and its outskirts, including Kitengela, Rongai, Umoja, Kayole, and Githurai, among others. They gathered at various points, notably near the University of Nairobi and the Central Police Station, before marching through the city.
The demonstrators carried placards calling for equal rights for the Banyamulenge as Congolese citizens and denouncing the governments of Kinshasa and Burundi, which they accused of involvement in violence against civilians in the highlands of Minembwe and surrounding areas.
Fidel Rubirika, a journalist with Minembwe Capital News who attended the protest, said it drew significant participation. He noted that protesters marched across several parts of Nairobi, heading toward offices of international organizations and diplomatic missions in an effort to raise global awareness.
He stated: “Protesters gathered very early in the morning from different parts of Nairobi, then came together to begin a march aimed at condemning the ongoing killings of the Banyamulenge. It was a highly attended demonstration, intended to send a clear message to the international community.”
The protest comes amid continued reports of insecurity in eastern DRC, where clashes and violence involving government forces, armed groups, and alleged foreign troops persist.
Information from the region indicates that civilians—particularly members of the Banyamulenge community—continue to face serious challenges, including killings, looting, and forced displacement, raising concerns at both regional and international levels.
Such protests have not been limited to Kenya. In the United States, members of the Banyamulenge diaspora have also held similar demonstrations, condemning the reported violence against their community and calling on the international community to take urgent action to stop the conflict and protect civilians.
These protests highlight the escalating concern over insecurity in eastern DRC, with diaspora communities increasingly voicing alarm over the situation facing civilians in the region.
Political and security analysts emphasize that a lasting solution will require inclusive political dialogue, strong regional cooperation, and sustained international engagement to restore durable peace in an area that has long been affected by conflict and instability.
