Kenya. President Uhuru Kenyatta held a meeting with religious leaders from around the country at State House Nairobi.
Addressing the nation after the meeting on Wednesday, Kenyatta asked Kenyans to come together before God and pray for the country. He called upon every citizen to ask God to guide the country he said badly needed God’s grace.
His meeting with the Clergy came hours after electoral agency commissioner Roselyn Akombe resigned, blaming irreconcilable divisions in the commission.
Prayer Day
This, Kenyatta said, will culminate in a National Prayer Day on Sunday.
“The path since the Supreme Court decision has not been easy for our country, but we thank God for seeing us through,” He told media reporters at State House, Nairobi.
“Now, as we walk towards the 26th of October, as a God-fearing people, we beckon our God to give us divine guidance to fulfill our constitutional mandate, and we will.”
The Chief Justice David Maraga-led Supreme Court on September 1 nullified the August 8 elections and ordered a fresh poll in 60 days.
But between then and now, his main challenger Raila Odinga has withdrawn, asking for fresh nominations and electoral reforms before any election can take place.
Human rights groups say at least 40 people have been killed in post-election violence.
“On that day (Sunday) we will be asking for God’s blessing for our nation: we will also ask God to abide with us, and to guide us, both in this period, and in time to come. We will pray for our leaders: that they may be granted wisdom, humility, and that they may love peace and justice,” President Kenyatta said.
“For the truth is that the politics of the day is fleeting, but this nation, under God’s care, endures. We cannot let what is fleeting sully what is permanent,”
Forgiveness
Kenyatta went on: “We will also pray for each other: for if your brother or sister asks you forgiveness, do not withhold it. For the truth is that the politics of the day is fleeting, but this nation, under God’s care, endures. We cannot let what is fleeting sully what is permanent.”
The Head of State quoted 2 Chronicles 7:14, asking Kenyans to take up the offer by God to go “humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways” after which, the verse says, the Lord “will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
“God has lifted this country before. He will do so again,” President Kenyatta said.
Gospel artists join forces
UG Christian News learnt that Kenyan gospel artists hosted a worship concert for the country ahead of the repeat presidential election.
The Groove worship night held at CITAM Valley Road (Main Sanctuary) featured top gospel artists including Mercy Masika, Pitson, Evelyn Wanjiru, Rosy Ohon, Guardian Angel and Groove Band among others.
The event run under the theme “God Wins” and was a time of uninhibited worship, and prayer for the nation.
Added candidates
Although Mr Odinga officially remains on the ballot, on October 13, the electoral commission gazetted additional names of candidates for the repeat presidential elections. They included Dr Ekuru Aukot, Mr Abduba Dida, Mr Joseph Nyagah, Mr Michael Wainaina and Mr Japheth Kavinga among others.
Mr Odinga earlier on called for mass protests on the forthcoming day of the polls. Yesterday, 20th Friday, 2017, he insisted there will be “no election” on 26th of October. He was however quick to urge his supporters not to turn to violence.
This was said at a rally in his western rural home of Bondo, Kenya.
“The differences we have with Mr Kenyatta should not be made personal. Those are our differences. You should not attack each other because of that,” Odinga pleaded with thousands.
Mr Odinga said he would announce “the way forward” on the eve of the election.
marvin@ugchristiannews.com
Additional Reporting by Daily Nation.
