Supporters arrived early, carrying candles, flowers and portraits of the former opposition chief/SCREENGRABHuge crowds have gathered at Uhuru Park ahead of a candle-lighting vigil in remembrance of the late ODM leader Raila Odinga.
The ceremony, which starts at 6 pm, is part of the month-long Mwezi wa Baba programme organised to honour Raila, whose first anniversary commemoration will be held on October 15.
Events at Uhuru Park began at 3 pm, with music and dance performances scheduled ahead of the candle-lighting ceremony.
Supporters arrived early, carrying candles, flowers and portraits of the former opposition chief.
Various artistes are expected to perform in honour of the former opposition leader during the event that will run into the night.
The Raila Amolo Odinga Memorial National Steering Committee and ODM said the remembrance activities would run throughout October to give Kenyans an opportunity to participate in commemorating Raila's life and legacy.
Similar candle-lighting events have been planned at Treasury Square in Mombasa and Kisumu Central Square, while another gathering will be held at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi.
Raila's story and legacy will also be projected onto the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) tower in Nairobi from 7 pm.
The nationwide candle-lighting ceremony will officially mark the start of the Mwezi wa Baba programme, which will culminate in a series of family-led commemorative events at his rural home in Bondo.
The family-led steering committee, chaired by Prof Adams Oloo, said ODM would also hold a major memorial rally in Kakamega Town on September 9, followed by core family-led commemorative activities between October 10 and 15.
On October 14, an international candle-lighting ceremony will be held from 6pm at Kang'o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, led by Ida Odinga.
Individual memorial services and other commemorative events will follow on October 15 at Kang'o ka Jaramogi, marking the first anniversary of Raila's death.
The month-long programme will conclude on October 31 with a national concert and legacy commemoration festival in Nairobi.
