Here is Azimio’s packed itinerary ahead of candlelight vigils
By Wycliffe Nyamasege, July 26, 2023
Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition has lined up a series of activities ahead of the opposition’s candlelight vigils organised to honour supporters killed or injured during recent anti-government demonstrations.
In a packed programme seen by People Daily Digital, the Raila Odinga-led coalition is set to hold a series of activities in Nairobi before the main event scheduled to start at 3:00 pm.
Odinga and other Azimio principals are set to pay visits to supporters nursing injuries in various hospitals in the city up to around 2:00 pm.
The facilities include Mama Lucy Kibaki, Mbagathi and Kenyatta hospitals.
The leaders will then converge at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation where they are scheduled to address the media and preside over the launch of flowers and candle vigils at 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm.
Here is the breakdown of the two-hour afternoon programme.
- Guests – All Azimio principals, MPs, house leaders (Azimio) And special guests.
- National athem
- Prayers
- Short video police brutality
- Address of the nation by principals
- Naming of all the injured
- Naming of all those dead
- Naming of detainess and those missing
- Proceed to lay candles and flowers on the wall of the
Departed - Moment of silence
- Launch of the victims fund
- National athem
The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition suspended anti-government protests that were scheduled for Wednesday and instead opted for peaceful solidarity parades and vigils to honour victims of police brutality.
In a statement, Azimio announced that they will light candles for victims of police brutality, some of whom have died.
“Since the last violent break up of our peaceful protests by Police and goons, Azimio la Umoja has taken time to get as complete a picture as possible of the pain inflicted on protesters. While the exercise is incomplete and remains ongoing, a clear picture has emerged of massive casualties,” Azimio said in a statement.
“Azimio has made the decision that on Wednesday, 26th July 2023, we will hold a different kind of protest. The peaceful protests will take the form of solidarity parades and vigil for victims of police brutality in various locations in all parts of the country. We are calling Kenyans to come out on and light candles and lay flowers, preferably white, in remembrance of and respect for the victims.”
According to the opposition, at least 50 people have been shot dead by police, while hundreds are nursing gunshot wounds in hospitals.
“So far, we have at least 50 deaths and hundreds admitted in hospitals with grave injuries. Many hospitals have been instructed not to disclose the number of casualties or deaths or even admit victims of police brutality. Many are therefore nursing their injuries at home while others have had their death go unrecorded. Many families are struggling with bills as a result of the brutal police assault on members,” Azimio added.