ELDORET: The Rift Valley and Western regions are set to host more prayer rallies for Deputy President William Ruto and radio journalist Joshua arap Sang who are facing crimes against humanity charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The prayers that started last week at Kaptororo shrine in Kuresoi, Nakuru County, will continue next Sunday in Mt Elgon, Bungoma County, followed by more at Kapkatet in Kericho County and Kapsabet in Nandi County.
Already, a committee made up of regional leaders and headed by Charles Keter has been formed to oversee the planning and schedule of prayers.
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“The prayers will continue and will be held all over the country. There is a committee led by the Rift Valley MPs Caucus Chairman Charles Keter, which is organising the prayer meetings,” said Elisha Busienei, the MP for Turbo in Uasin Gishu County.
Mr Busienei said prayers work, adding that last Sunday’s meeting was viewed from a political angle owing to the high attendance of elected leaders from all regions of the country.
GOOD TURNOUT
“The prayer meeting was successful due to the good turnout by elected leaders. This is why some people said much time was taken by politics. All elected leaders were given the chance to introduce themselves then the church took over the programme,” said Busienei.
He said prayers work depending on an individual’s faith, adding that “those who are saved will know the power of prayer while those who are not saved, may not know”.
Cornelly Serem, MP for Aldai in Nandi County, said prayer is the only way to go.
“Leaders called for prayers. Prayers have been done individually but it also came to the community because we want to also pray for peace in the country. Prayer is paramount because we want reconciliation to continue,” said Mr Serem in a telephone interview from Brazzaville Congo where he is attending the ongoing All African Games.
But Bishop Christopher Ruto of Eldoret Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) diocese, said church prayers should have been done separate from those uttered at the shrine.
More than 100 elected leaders and hundreds of residents converged at Kiptororo shrine in Kuresoi for special prayers at the weekend seeking divine intervention to ensure DP Ruto and Sang are let off the hook.
The leaders drawn from across the political divides claimed the international court had a pre-determined outcome on Kenya’s issues and vowed to employ diplomacy in a bid to terminate the case.
But even as the leaders bank on prayers, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen yesterday said plans were in place to ensure that they present the Government position at the Assembly of State Parties.
He explained that they are seeking to amend the Article 68 treaty, which saw the court adopt the use of evidence from witnesses who recanted their statements in The Hague.
Bureti MP Leonard Sang insisted that they will continue piling pressure on the ICC in a bid to have the cases against the two terminated.
Mr Sang, who was among leaders who held prayers at Kiptororo shrine, said they will continue with the process until the case is dropped.
