Azimio Vigil Exercise To Kick Off At 6am With Lighting Of Candles, Laying Of Flowers

• On Monday, July 24, Azimio leaders suspended anti-government protests slated for today, Wednesday, July 26
• The opposition leaders said they will not go to the streets as planned but will instead hold solidarity parades and vigils
• Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party urged Kenyans to wake up early and take part in the planned vigil exercise

Nairobi - The opposition, Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party planned Wednesday, July 26 vigil kicks off this morning at 6am.

In a statement, the Raila Odinga-led coalition has urged Kenyans to wake up early and take part in the exercise.

The exercise which also involves prayers, candle lighting, and laying of wreaths is aimed at standing in solidarity with the remembrance of lives lost at the hands of the police during the anti-government protests.

"We wish to appeal that the exercise kicks off at 6am with the lighting of candles and laying of flowers - any kind of flowers - at convenient, convergence points including hospitals, parks, bus stages, churches, markets, shopping centers, social halls, county assemblies and county headquarters," the coalition said.

According to Azimio, in demonstration of love and for the victims and solidarity with their families and the cause they died for, the coalition volunteered to acquire flowers and candles for the vigil.

"That leaders from the various formations of our society including political parties, church, and faith organisations, civil society, community-based organisations, youth and women groups, the academia and labour movement among others take lead and guide citizens in these sombre and solemn acts of remembrance, solidarity and love," the statement further reads.

Why Azimio supporters will organise themselves in groups

Azimio also directed its supporters to organise themselves in groups and sing the National Anthem and say prayers for justice for the dead and the injured upon lighting the candles and laying the wreaths.

"That in Nairobi, leaders from the various pillars of society will gather at the designated location already communicated to say prayers, lay wreaths, light candles, and launch a benevolent fund to aid victims and their families," the statement further reads.

Azimio condemns police brutality

Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that Azimio leaders suspended anti-government protests slated for today, Wednesday, July 26.

In a statement released on Monday, July 24, the opposition leaders said they will not go to the streets as planned but will instead hold solidarity parades and vigils for victims of police brutality across the country.

The opposition outfit said at least 50 people have been killed by the police since the protests, aimed at compelling the government to lower the cost of living and address other pressing issues such as taxation and electoral injustices, began.