Azimio Changes Style Of Protests, Unveils Victims [LIST]

National Assembly Minority Leader, Opiyo Wandayi stated that the new style of protests will see them drop the move to take to the streets

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Jul 26, 2023 - 18:16
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Azimio Changes Style Of Protests, Unveils Victims [LIST]
Raila Odinga greeting supporters in Nairobi CBD on July 10, 2023. /RAILA ODINGA

Azimio la Umoja on Wednesday, July 26 announced that it was making changes to its anti-government protests so that its supporters avoid confrontations with anti-riot police officers accused of using excessive force to curtail them.

Speaking at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (JOOF) in Nairobi, National Assembly Minority Leader, Opiyo Wandayi stated that the new style of protests will see them drop the move to take to the streets and instead focus on public defiance.

He therefore urged Azimio's followers to continue with the demonstrations to pressure President William Ruto to reduce the cost of living as well as repeal the Finance Act, 2023 which introduced new taxes as well as hiked the existing ones.

Wandayi also called out the media for misreporting Azimio's next cause of action by claiming that the protests were called off. 

A police officer running away from protesters who were throwing stones on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. /MA3ROUTE

"We realised that our people were suffering due to police brutality. So, this week, we decided that we are changing the approach to our protests.

"We wish to state that Azimio la Umoja neither called off nor suspended the protests. It is important to note the protests have since taken new forms to ensure that the State responds," Wandayi explained. 

The Unguja MP also explained the format of public defiance whereby individuals or groups raise awareness about oppressive laws, not paying taxes, and sitting at home to avoid spending money when it is not necessary.

"I'm sure you know that there are people who are currently staying at home as a form of protest against the State. We have deliberately decided that the protests will be public defiance.

"Public defiance against the state is a form of political activism in which individuals or groups openly disobey laws or policies that they believe are unjust or harmful," he added.

On Tuesday, June 27, Raila called for civil disobedience as part of a list of resolutions to counter President Ruto who ignored their demands over the Finance Act 2023.

To begin, the former Prime Minister urged Kenyans to embrace tax boycotts by stripping President Ruto of the fuel tax through methods to reduce fuel consumption, including carpooling in journeys.

Wandayi however urged protesters to avoid confronting armed police officers who are capable of retaliating to attacks on them by drawing weapons, which can cause unwarranted injuries or even deaths, accusing the police of failing to apply restraint on innocent people who were just protesting against the government.

"This type of activism is often nonviolent, but it can also involve civil disobedience, which is the deliberate breaking of a law in order to draw attention to a perceived injustice," Wandayi stated.

Azimio la Umoja on Wednesday, July 26 conducted a vigil by lighting candles and laying flowers for the victims of police brutality during previous demos.

The vigil was held at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (JOOF) in Nairobi and was attended by hundreds of people, including Raila Odinga, and Wiper Party leader Stephen Kalonzo.

Names Of Maandamano Victims

The coalition also released the names of the victims of the anti-government protests and they include:

  1. Reagan Otieno Adero
  2. Stephen Okinyi
  3. Muthoka Mutunga
  4. Benjamin Imbi
  5. Raphael Shigali
  6. Mr Kalasinga
  7. Faith Wairimu
  8. Edward Wanjala
  9. Charles Ochieng'
  10. Dennis Mwendo Mwikali
  11. Eunice Mutheu
  12. John Musa
  13. Derick Adongo
  14. William Mwanyange
  15. Peter Ngolanie
  16. Fanuel Ochieng' Okello
  17. John Ochieng
  18. George Otogo
  19. Pascal Owino Khayongo
  20. Harris Ochieng
  21. Bernard Ochieng Otana
  22. Meshack Ishereka
  23. Joseph Ogonda Muga
  24. Bernard Kilonzo Mwanzia
  25. Alex Mutinda Nzuve
  26. David Agan
  27. Felix Otieno Oduor
  28. Muthakye Muthui (student)
  29. John Okoth
  30. George Odhiambo Anyama
  31. John Ochieng'
  32. Felix Otieno Opiyo
  33. Duncan Simiyu

Azimio la Umoja leaders called for justice for the protesters who were killed and also called for an end to police brutality and accused Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki of issuing orders to bar injured protesters from accessing medical services and for dead protesters not to be accounted for.

"Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki seems to love that brutality and takes pride in it. He had offered more and heavier dose of brutality and gunfire today despite our announcement that we would only be holding vigils in honour of the victims," Azimio said.

Dozens of police officers were deployed to various streets in the country despite the move by Azimio to suspend the protests in favour of vigils to mourn the demise of protesters who lost their lives in the previous demos.

Raila Odinga addressing supporters at Kenyatta Market on July 11, 2023. /RAILA ODINGA

No official statistics have been released yet but the International Network of Civil Liberties Organizations (INCLO), a group of 15 human rights NGOs working together to protect fundamental rights and freedoms, put fatalities at 23.

Azimio also announced that vigils, prayers and the laying of flowers will continue on Thursday, July 27, 2023, with interdenominational prayers for Maandamano victims, police and the nation to be held across the country and in Nairobi on Friday, July 28, 2023, the same date Azimio is to announce further plans on the anti-tax protests.