Youth hold prayer vigil in Nairobi, Mombasa to honour abductees

Youth under June 25th Movement will tomorrow Saturday hold a prayer vigil in remembrance of their colleagues who were killed during last year’s Gen Z protests.

The prayer vigil according to activist Shakira Wafula, vice chairperson of Kikao, which consists of various non-governmental organisations in the rights and justice sector, will also be held in Mombasa at the same time and day.

Kikao according to its website is a volunteer political movement that seeks to inspire and bring together a new tribe of Kenyans who are progressive and align with their call for transparent and accountable leadership.

 “We welcome all Kenyans in Nairobi to gather at August 7th Memorial Park from noon to evening. Looking at the current state of our country specifically from June last year, a number of young people have been abducted died, we still have some uncounted for, some still missing like the Mlolongo Three, which started as a Gen Z movement to fight for justice and accountability and we have seen failing systems everywhere including health, education among others,” said Ms Wafula.

She added: “Tomorrow’s prayer vigil is also meant to bring all citizens together not youth only for solidarity for and also to reflect on what is currently happening in our country, galvanise and bring people together to figure out how we are going to match forward as one voice and people towards a Kenya that works for everyone.”

Ms Wafula said they decided on 25th because the grand Gen Z protests happened on the same day and it will be the seventh month anniversary.

She said last week, Kisumu held a successful prayer vigil and and Mombasa one will happen along Moi Avenue where there is iconic elephant tusks. 

Ms Wafula, who said they have invited all people including spiritual leaders from all kinds of religions and activists, added that they booked the venue have got a stamped permission from Nairobi Central Police Station’s Officer in Charge of Commanding Station(OCS) and National Environment Management(NEMA).

She said any politician who will come for the vigil will not be allowed to speak to the prayer vigil attendees.

Kikao chairman Lavani Mila said the prayer vigil is just a beginning of more of such that will be happening on every 25th of the month until June 25th where they will hold a major one.

Mila said the prayer vigil will give them a chance to reflect on what they did right and wrong and also press for justice for the families of the youths who have lost their lives since June last year.

"If we do not talk and know the way forward, we may find ourselves in the same situation we we did in June last year and every 25th will be a prayer vigil, which will also act as a forum to discuss our way forward," he said.