AZIMIO SUSPENDS WEDNESDAY PROTESTS, ASKS SUPPORTERS TO HOLD NIGHT VIRGILS
The Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition has issued a statement suspending the planned anti-government protests scheduled to take place across the country on Wednesday this week.
Instead, the coalition leadership is now urging its supporters to hold nights virgils in solidarity with victims of police brutality.
“Azimio has made the decision that on Wednesday, rather than go to the streets for a peaceful demonstration as earlier announced, we will hold solidarity parades and vigil for victims of police brutality in various locations in all parts of the country,” reads the statement.
According to Azimio, more than 50 people have lost their lives with hundreds of others brutally being injured and currently being admitted to hospitals countrywide.
“We are calling Kenyans to come out and light candles and lay flowers in remembrance of and respect for the victims. During the vigils, candle lighting and laying of flowers, we encourage Kenyans to say prayers and read out the names of the victims of police brutality. We shall provide the list of the victims in time for the exercise.”
Azimio has also asked religious leaders to dedicate Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for prayers in remembrance of the victims of police brutality during the past peaceful demonstrations.
“We ask Kenyans to pray also that the International Criminal Court takes up the matter based on an expanded list of perpetrators that we intend to furnish with the court with in due course,” added Azimio.
This change of tune comes barely 2 days National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah said the Kenya Kwanza government has announced that it is open to bipartisan talks with Azimio la Umoja.
Speaking on Saturday in Vihiga County, Mr. Ichung’wah Ruto’s government would be willing to join the talks solely to focus on the recruitment of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commissioners (IEBC).
“I want to assure our counterparts agree that we are ready to resume the bipartisan talks with that singular agenda of reconstituting our IEBC commissioners so that we can continue with the byelections of other constituencies and wards that don’t have leaders because of the paralysis at IEBC,” stated the legislator.
It will be interesting to see how events will unfold as pressure has been mounting on both sides to cease fire and find amicable ways to solve issues being protested by Azimio.
