I have been mentoring a pastor in the city of Nanyuki, Kenya, for more than two years. Nanyuki is home to both American and British military bases. Yesterday, during a Zoom conversation, the pastor told me that he had been unable to work, his children had been unable to attend school, and many shops had been forced to close because riots were taking place in the city, during which three people had reportedly been killed.

The pastor explained that the unrest was linked to concerns over plans by the United States government to build a 50-bed facility intended to accommodate American citizens from the Democratic Republic of Congo or Uganda who may have contracted Ebola. Many Kenyans fear the possibility of Ebola entering their country because of the disease's highly infectious nature and its history of causing significant loss of life. The prospect of a facility being established for the treatment of Ebola patients from neighbouring countries has therefore generated considerable concern among the people of Nanyuki.

Yesterday, a thirty-year-old Sudanese man, who had permission to remain in Belfast until 2028, stabbed an innocent man in Belfast city centre. The attacker was arrested, and the victim remains seriously ill in hospital. This morning, reports emerged that several houses and a bus had been set alight in Belfast overnight by a mob fuelled by online hatred and political rhetoric, including comments from figures such as the United States Vice President. The violence resulted in families being evacuated from their homes as masked thugs targeted anyone they believed to be an asylum seeker or illegal immigrant.

One family, including a nine-year-old child, had to be rescued from their burning home. They had lived in that house for twenty years. Today, they have been described as deeply traumatised. In total, there were around sixty serious incidents reported during the night, many of which targeted people perceived to be immigrants simply because of the colour of their skin.

During my years as a police officer, I was involved in the farmers' dispute at Holyhead, the Toxteth riots, which spread to other parts of the country, and the miners' strike in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. I have therefore witnessed not only hatred expressed through violent action, but also the devastating effects those actions have on ordinary people, who often become victims of what are ultimately political agendas.

For that reason, I am saddened and frustrated when politicians seek to gain advantage from such tragedies, or when online hatemongers and agitators incite actions that result in suffering and inhumane treatment for innocent people.

When demonstrations descend into rioting, innocent people are hurt. Such violence serves only to deepen divisions within society, creating wounds that may take years to heal, if they ever heal at all. There are many legitimate avenues through which grievances and political opinions can be expressed. Peaceful protest and lawful demonstration have an important place in any democratic society, provided they do not incite hatred against others and continue to uphold the dignity and rights of those who hold different views. Riots and violence have no place in a civilised society.

Even during the devastating Irish famine of the mid-nineteenth century, when more than a million and a quarter people died from disease and starvation, Daniel O'Connell Irish MP, known as "The Liberator," refused to incite hatred against the British Government, despite what many viewed as official indifference. Instead, he consistently advocated peaceful means to bring about the action needed to save lives. I often wonder what this great Irishman would say to his fellow citizens today.

Perhaps Daniel O'Connell was influenced by the words of the prophet Micah, who declared God's requirements of humanity: "O mortal, what is good? And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

If only our politicians, social media platforms, and certain members of our communities acted in accordance with these timeless principles, then the terror inflicted upon innocent people would not prevail as it is prevailing in places such as Nanyuki and Belfast today.

Pastor Michael Fryer

10th June 2026