Standard Team
22 April 2006
Nairobi — As Kenyans united in prayer yesterday, the message for President Mwai Kibaki was clear: Bring God to the centre of what you do.
Nobel Laureate Prof Wangare Maathai set the tone when she read from Psalms 127: "Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labour in vain."
The phrase was loaded with scriptural symbolism, urging the President to seek divine help in running the country.
Various religious leaders across the country echoed the same advice to the Head of State who led the prayers attended by Kenyans from all walks of life.
In Nairobi, the prayers were held at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) grounds and were attended by Leader of Official Opposition in Parliament, Uhuru Kenyatta, Orange Democratic Movement's Raila Odinga, William Ruto, and Kalonzo Musyoka, First Lady Lucy, National Assembly Speaker Francis ole Kaparo, Attorney General Amos Wako, various religious leaders, cabinet ministers and other officials.
Internal security minister John Michuki - who barely two months ago made the infamous "snake" remark at the same venue - was back to pray with the rest of the country. The serpent is the embodiment of the devil against whom most fervent prayers are directed.
With shouts of "Halleluiah!" "Amen!" "Yes!" and waving their hands in the air, Kenyans prayed that devil may be defeated.
Reverend John Gichinga of Nairobi Baptist Church called for repentance as he prayed that Kenyans be forgiven.
Citing the "humiliation" former President Daniel arap Moi was subjected to as he handed over power to Kibaki on December 31, 2002, Rev Gichinga said: "We are guilty of broken covenants. God forgive us for we have continued to break MoUs."
Yesterday was set aside by President Kibaki for national prayer and reflection following a series of "sad events" that have dogged his regime, culminating in the Marsabit plane crash where 14 people were killed on Monday last week.
Kibaki was himself transformed from a politician to a preacher delivering spiritually laden speech that captured the need for Kenyans to turn to God.
The well-received speech was punctuated with shouts of "Yes!" and "Amen!" as he read it with the worshipers urging him to continue.
"These tragedies have saddened us to a point where we do not know what to do, but to turn to God," President Kibaki said.
The KICC grounds teamed with politicians from across the divide, different religious leaders and worshippers, including Christians, Muslims, Hindus and traditionalists representing the religious diversity of the country.
The Catholic Church, Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims, Hindu Council, Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) and the Baptist Church of Kenya were among the religious groups represented.
The President planted a Prunus Africana tree at the KICC grounds while the first Lady planted a Podo tree.
In the congregation were Kibaki's children Judy and Tony.
Also in attendance were Othaya Narc Activist Mary Wambui and Kamlesh Pattni.
President Kibaki called for a new spirit of reconciliation where all leaders work together in unity to build Kenya.
President Kibaki asked leaders to shun reckless conduct and to weigh their utterances so as not whip up tribal emotions that could cause enmity among the people.
"We must work together as a people and weigh our every action and utterance not to bring a wedge among the people," Kibaki said.
In a page one comment last Sunday, the Sunday Standard had asked Kenyans to reflect and pray about the events in the country.
Yesterday, President Kibaki asked Kenyans to thank God for putting them in a beautiful country like Kenya adding that if they all united they could build a prosperous nation.
Prayers were said in respect of the departed souls, bereaved families, survivors and the sick.
Other prayers were said for peace in the country, on corruption, for the children, for the Government and institutions.
In future, Michuki said, the day would be committed to praying for HIV/Aids pandemic, drought, famine, disregard of laws of God and those of the State.
Speaking after the prayers ended Raila said the idea was good but the prayers should have been more comprehensive to include all tragedies that have dogged Narc.
Raila said President Kibaki's speech was just like the one he gave in 2002 when Narc took over power and could as well be just be politics.
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