Leaders pray for end to insecurity and corruption in Kenya

President Uhuru Kenyatta (right), his deputy William Ruto and Speaker of the Senate Ekwee Ethuro during the National Prayer Breakfast at Safari Park in Nairobi. [PHOTO: GOVEDI ASUTSA.]

NAIROBI: Kenya's leaders convened at Nairobi's Safari Park Hotel to seek divine intervention for the country's twin problems of corruption and insecurity.

At the annual National Prayer Breakfast, President Uhuru Kenyatta, his deputy William Ruto, the Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi, Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro, Cabinet secretaries and other Government officials asked God to help the country in the fight against terrorism, crime and fraud.

The prayers came soon after Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko received investigatory files on the allegations of corruption against Cabinet secretaries and other senior State officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. They also come at a time when there are renewed terrorist attacks in North Eastern Kenya.

President Kenyatta asked politicians to stop their hypocrisy and help solve the problems afflicting the country such as incitement, inter-ethnic conflict, tribalism and corruption.

"If leaders say and do what they tell us on podiums like this, in Parliament, in the papers, then why do we have a problem? Do and mean what you say so that we make this country great," the President said.

In a four-minute address to the 600 invited guests, the Head of State asked leaders to "reflect" on their actions and words, and use their positions to change the lives of Kenyans.

"Are each and every one of us doing what is right by our people, and right by God in order to make a difference in the lives of our people? If all we are doing here is a ritual to show how true we are to our God, then, God help us!" said Kenyatta who asked the politicians to be "sincere".

His deputy William Ruto was full of gratitude that despite the "many mountains" that the country was dealing with in its road to prosperity and growth, it was not all doom and gloom.

UNDIVIDED COUNTRY

"Despite the huge challenge that terrorism poses to our security, it has not managed to divide us. It has not achieved the division between brother and brother or Christian and Muslim that it was intended to achieve. We are still one undivided country," said Ruto.

Kajiado Governor David ole Nkedianye told the President to "delegate" some of the thorny governance issues at the national level, so that both levels of government can deal with insecurity and corruption.

Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga prayed for "integrity, protection and peace" and pleaded for God's grace for politicians to stick to the straight and narrow.

The event was attended by diplomats from different countries including Tanzania, Rwanda, US, Britain, Nigeria, India, Zambia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, businessmen and the clergy.