Members of the Congolese community in Kenya have called on the government to investigate alleged recruitment, mobilisation, and fundraising activities linked to the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC)/M23 movement in Nairobi.
It warned that Kenya’s democratic freedoms should not be exploited to fuel the ongoing armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ganza Daniel, President of the Mutualite Banyamulenge Community in Katanga, DRC, said Kenya’s standing as a regional peace broker made it especially important that its territory not be used to support activities connected to armed groups.
“Kenya has built a strong reputation as a country that believes in democracy, peace and the rule of law. We are appealing to the Kenyan authorities to ensure that these democratic freedoms are not exploited to recruit, mobilise or raise funds for an armed conflict taking place in the DRC,” he said.
The community alleges that individuals associated with AFC/M23 have travelled to Nairobi to mobilise members of the Congolese diaspora and recruit support for the movement.
It further claims that young Congolese people, including minors, may have been targeted for recruitment, while fundraising activities allegedly connected to the movement have taken place within sections of the community, including in churches.
Daniel called for a proper investigation rather than dismissal of the allegations.
“We are not asking the Kenyan government to act on rumours or political accusations. We are asking for a professional, independent and impartial investigation so that the truth can be established and appropriate action taken if wrongdoing is found,” he said.
The community also raised concerns about individuals who have benefited from refugee protection in Kenya but may be involved in political mobilisation or logistical activities linked to the armed movement.
“Refugee protection is meant to protect people fleeing conflict and persecution. It should never become a platform for recruiting young people, mobilising communities or financing an armed movement,” Daniel said.
The concerns come against the backdrop of the continuing conflict in eastern DRC, where M23 has seized significant territory including the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu.
The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2773 in February 2025, strongly condemning M23’s offensive and demanding a ceasefire and withdrawal.
The United States has also imposed sanctions on individuals associated with the conflict, including AFC coordinator Corneille Nangaa and, most recently in April 2026, former DRC President Joseph Kabila, who has been accused of supporting M23 and AFC, allegations he has rejected.
The community said it had previously raised concerns with Kenyan authorities but was dissatisfied with what it described as an insufficient level of preventive action.
Daniel was emphatic that the appeal was not directed against Kenya or the Congolese people living there.
“Our concern is specifically about activities that may support armed violence. Kenya should remain a place where Congolese refugees and migrants can live safely, not a place where a conflict from eastern Congo is organised or financed,” he stated.
He also expressed particular concern about the involvement of young people.
“A child or young person should be in school and thinking about their future, not being recruited into a conflict that has already destroyed thousands of Congolese families,” he said.
The community urged Kenya to strengthen cooperation with regional and international peace efforts, noting that the country had historically played an important role through initiatives such as the Nairobi Process.
“Kenya has an opportunity to demonstrate that democracy and peace can reinforce each other. We want Kenya to remain a neutral and trusted partner in the search for peace in the Great Lakes region,” Daniel said.
