Sombre mood as Azimio leaders honour supporters killed in demos

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga lights a candle in honor of victims who died during anti-government demonstrations on July 25, 2023 at Jaramogi Odinga Foundation in Upper Hill. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard] They wept over death of protesters killed during last week's anti-government protests, laying flowers and lighting candles and singing dirges, and weeping some more. Opposition leaders and lawmakers, converged at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation in Nairobi, could hardly hold their tears during yesterday's service, organised to honour victims of police brutality. Looking at two clips that lay bare the extent of the brutality meted on their supporters, Raila Odinga's face grew sad. Jubilee Secretary Jeremiah Kioni shed tears. And so did Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua. A section of women MPs wept hysterically and soaked in the sombre air at the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya's "flowers and candle-lighting" event. Earlier, Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka read a statement, which described the dead and injured as "patriots." "This afternoon, we took time to visit victims of police brutality in various hospitals in Nairobi. We have also been to mortuaries. Our mission was to express our sympathy, solidarity and appreciation of their situation. This visit was also part of our effort to get as complete a picture as possible of the pain inflicted on protesters by the police... The world has seen what happened in Kenya," Kalonzo said and blamed the police squarely. He said the coalition would pursue justice for its victims locally and internationally, faulting Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki for persecuting opposition supporters. National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi read out the names of 36 people who died, saying that they were yet to document all the deaths. "It is a sad moment because we are witnessing this, 60 years after independence. The cruelty meted by security agencies is something not even witnessed during the darkest days under the colonial administration. But they shall be brought to account no matter how long it takes," said the Ugunja MP. Likoni MP Mishi Mboko issued a statement on behalf of lawmakers, accusing President William Ruto of infringing on the rights of Kenyans. "We fought the colonialists to earn our basic human rights. We fought for our Constitution to enjoy our freedoms and it is sad that more than 50 Kenyans had to die in the hands of fellow Kenyans. It is regrettable that leaders congratulate the police for 'doing a good job.' Is killing a good job?" She posed. Azimio will hold a service in honour of the victims tomorrow. They will also launch a funds drive to support those hospitalised and give the way forward on protests. On Tuesday, President Ruto invited Raila for talks in a tweet, coming in the wake of sustained pressure for talks by the clergy, civil society and the international community. In an interview with Al Jazeera, the former Prime Minister said his rival was not serious for issuing such an invitation on social media. "If the president wanted to meet me he would not invite me through social media. He knows my address and telephone number. He is basically just playing games. That is like a public relations exercise," Raila said. He did not speak during the service, only leading his Azimio colleagues in laying white roses and lighting flowers in front of images of some of those who died during the protests, posted on what they termed "the wall of patriots," as the song 'It is well' blared from the speakers. The Azimio leaders visited three people admitted to Mama Lucy Hospital. The hospital had discharged 18 patients injured during the demos. The leaders then headed to the Kenyatta National Hospital, where 15 patients were recuperating from gunshot wounds, with another two nursing stab wounds. The hospital had treated 25 patients from the demos. One succumbed to the injuries. They would make their final stop at City mortuary, obtaining records of those killed during the protests. Meanwhile, grief engulfed several towns in Nyanza as hundreds of opposition supporters converged in various spots and lit candles in honour those killed during protests. In Kisumu, residents gathered in Kondele, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Nyalenda, Jua Kali area, and the local bus park where they lit candles. At the hospital mortuary, tears flowed freely as four families, who lost their loved ones during the protests, lit candles, sang and prayed. Caroline Otieno, who lost her husband Erick Omondi, was inconsolable. "His death is a big loss for us as a family," she said amid tears. In the region, nearly 15 families are mourning loved ones killed during the protests. In Kisumu, hospitals have attended to at least 107 people injured during the protests. Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong'o, on Wednesday, directed the Medical Department to waive bills of all those injured during the protests. "Sadly and very regrettably, 91 patients recorded a history of police assault resulting in injuries. Of concern and utter shock is that out of those attended to, 47 had gunshot wounds which required inpatient admission and surgical procedures to save their lives," said Prof Nyong'o. In Migori, ODM leaders, activists, church leaders, and residents lit candles at Posta roundabout. Migori branch ODM secretary Josy Olala said they would hold the candle lighting daily to honour victims of the protests. "No one has the right to kill. Kenya has a constitution where picketing is legally allowed," said Olala. [Reports by Brian Otieno, Anne Atieno, Sharon Owino, James Omoro, and Sammy Omingo]

Sombre mood as Azimio leaders honour supporters killed in demos

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