The Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition has suspended the maandamano protests that were scheduled to take place across the country on Wednesday this week.
The condition in a statement shared on July 24- said that instead of taking to the streets, they will hold
“solidarity parades and vigil for victims of police brutality in various locations in all parts of the country.”
The coalition called on its supporters to come out and light candles and lay flowers for the victims of police brutality during previous demos.
“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,” read part of the statement.
“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,”
The coalition has 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 comes hours after Interior CS Kithure Kindiki announced that the ministry was prepared for any eventuality – promising to employ police officers as early as 1 a.m Wedensday.
Kindiki added that the two protests were just a warm up and saying that they will remain firm in the move to stop protests.
“Two Wednesdays ago, we wanted to see if Kenyans can conduct peaceful protests. But three hours later, a lot of damage was done in various parts of the country and by the time we deployed police, it was too late,”
“That is last week. We decided we are not going to the same criminals to do the same. We will remain firm,” he told the press on Monday.
The move by Azimio to call off demonstrations has drawn mixed reactions from a section Kenyans with others lauding the move while a section saying that the coalition has let them down after having the plans on the said Wednesday.
“Huyu Mzee hayuko serious.Na vile Wednesday Kuna mzigo ilikwa ikuje Kwa nyumba ju ilikwa automatic holiday,” Mzee Wa Starehe.
“Mzee ni kama kimemramba,” Clemo.
