Nyong’o pledges to clear hospital bills for demos victims as candlelight vigils held in Kisumu
By Wycliffe Nyamasege, July 26, 2023
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o has pledged to clear the hospital bills of victims of alleged police brutality in recent anti-government demonstrations in the county.
Nyong’o said the county government has set aside funds to support the victims recovering in various hospitals.
This is even as the local leadership led by Kisumu County Assembly Speaker Elisha Oraro and several county officials led residents to light candles in honor of persons killed or injured during the demos.
The leaders condemned cases of police brutality reported in the county, insisting that the right to picket is protected by the country’s supreme law.
Elsewhere in Nairobi, Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition principals are expected to visit the victims of police brutality in various hospitals in the city.
The facilities include Mama Lucy Kibaki, Mbagathi and Kenyatta hospitals.
The leaders led by Azimio leader Raila Odinga 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 from 3:00 pm.
The 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 early this week, Azimio announced that they will light candles for the victims, 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.”
50 persons killed
According to the opposition, at least 50 people were 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.
The opposition called for 3-day protests across the country last week to demonstrate against the high cost of living, reconstitution of the electoral commission and the raid of opposition parties by the government among other issues.