Kenya leaders urge peace at prayer breakfast

President Uhuru Kenyatta speaking during last year’s National Prayers Breakfast at Safari Park hotel in Nairobi. BILLY MUTAI 

In Summary

• The event that was graced by both leaders and representatives from the National assembly and the Senate had a message for Kenyans to unite in peace.
• Retired US Major General Jonathan Scott Gration said this was not the time to be fleeing Kenya as a result of the recent attacks

Peace messages dominated the National Prayer Breakfast that was held on Wednesday at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi.

In a rare move, the Deputy President William Ruto called on the President Uhuru Kenyatta to sing a popular hymn Blessed Assurance.

The event that was graced by both leaders and representatives from the National assembly and the Senate had a message for Kenyans to unite in peace.

President Kenyatta said that the country was never forgotten despite all that has been happening.

“Let us all preach against negative ethnicity in the country,” he further urged.

Deputy President Ruto urged Kenyans to ensure unity among all people regardless of their where they come from.

“Let us remember that those who do not belong to your village, community or religion belong to our country,” he added.

Envoys to Kenya from other parts of the world were also present during the 12th national prayer breakfast.

Former US ambassador to Kenya, Retired Major General Jonathan Scott Gration, said this was not the time to be fleeing Kenya as a result of the recent attacks.

“I am committed to do something each day that will bring change to Kenya,” he added.

#Nationalprayerbreakfast and #Breakfastofhyenas

While the event was ongoing at the hotel, Kenyans online started a trend to critic and applaud the leaders.

Using the hashtags #Nationalprayerbreakfast and #Breakfastofhyenas people online encouraged for such events while others criticised them.

Gathoni Juma tweeted ‘If my people will humble themselves and pray, I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins and heal their land. #nationalprayerbreakfast.’

@Mwirigi Kiula tweeted ‘#NationalPrayerBreakfast Let's make prayer a National discipline and depend on the Lord God Almighty.’

The event that is held annually to pray for the country had others urging for more public participation.

Henrias Craiz tweeted ‘Why can't the #NationalPrayerBreakFast be held in an open ground where the public can also participate?’

Alex Mwangale tweeted ‘By the way why is it called #NationalPrayerBreakfast and it cannot involve wananchi. It’s for wenye nchi.’

The hashtag #Breakfastofhyenas came up to critic the event as Kenyans termed it as a waste of public resources.

Antony Njuguna tweeted ‘ #BreakfastOfHyenas why can’t they use that money to do something better, after all churches were built for a reason.’

Danyell Odhiambo tweeted ‘#BreakfastofHyenas They should have chosen the many open grounds around the country rather than settle for the posh hotel environs.’