Opposition Hold Vigil In Kenya For Protesters Killed By Police

A vigil has been held in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, for more than 30 people whom rights groups say lost their lives in recent cost-of-living protests.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga attended the event, laying flowers and lighting a candle at a memorial site where pictures of some of those who died were displayed.

Mr. Odinga suspended this week’s planned street anti-government protests over tax hikes as a mark of respect to those killed. Such vigils are planned countrywide over the next few days.

Earlier in the day, opposition leaders, including Mr. Odinga, visited various hospitals in Nairobi to check up on the people who were injured during the protests.

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President Ruto has now offered to meet Mr. Odinga “one on one. Footage of the vigil showed mourners lighting candles, wailing, and a mother crying over the death of her son.

“Why are they being congratulated? They are killing their own people. The brutality is too much. Where are we heading to as a nation?” said Zamzam Mohammed Chimba, member of parliament in Kenya.

In the last three weeks, demonstrations have spread across Kenya with people calling out President William Ruto’s administration over the rising cost of living and newly imposed taxes that have caused a fuel price hike as tax on petroleum products doubled from 8% to 16%.

Human rights groups condemned the police for using excessive force to disperse protesters.