President calls clerics to cleanse his office in rare church service

President William Ruto yesterday hosted a prayer service at State House Nairobi attended by over 40 preachers, mostly of the evangelical extraction, whose main agenda was to "consecrate State House".

The president, soon after landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) from his United Kingdom and United States trip, yesterday morning, walked into a waiting interdenominational prayer service at the country's seat of power.

By 7am guests were already arriving and settling down at the pitched white tent at the State garden, waiting for Dr Ruto, who was the chief guest, and his family, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his wife Dorcas.

Ruto said he was dedicating State House to God for "hoisting me to presidency".

"After this service, please don't leave. There is lunch for all of you," he said shortly after the service.

"There will be part two of this service, which isn't as organised as part one. I want you all to speak a word of blessing around this compound. And those who can speak in tongues, please speak in tongues around this compound."

Ruto added, "I'll ask 30 to 40 members of the clergy to pray over this building (State House). To you all, don't be in a hurry to leave. Walk around State House as you pray in tongues. Let everyone know that we are finally here."

Responding to Ruto's request, Bishop Mark Kariuki, who presided over the morning fellowship, said, "When we (the clergy) walk around State House, we'll declare this ground purified. Any evil altar that may have been raised here will be paralysed in the name of Jesus Christ."

First Lady Rachel Ruto suggested that the anointing session would be led by Bishop Kariuki, who is the overseer and presiding bishop of Deliverance Church.

Other clerics included Bishop JB Masinde of Deliverance Church Umoja, Bishop Arthur Kitonga of Redeemed Gospel Church and Apostle Joe Kayo of Deliverance Church.

"This is not the last service you are having here at State House Nairobi. You will be coming here month after month," said Mrs Ruto.

"When the Lord answers your prayer, you got to give thanks and we will not do it just once; we will keep coming to this altar that the fathers have laid here today in State House."

President Ruto said he was "prayed into victory on August 9", and has every reason to thank God for his new status.

"We are here today because of God and prayer. Kenya is being celebrated across the world for [holding] a peaceful and transparent election," he said.

The president used the biblical David and Goliath analogy to illustrate what the election win meant for him.

"Goliath was there, in full armour. We were told that the deep state will stop our bid, but God saw us through. I want to request you to pray for our plan so that we can find food for those who are hungry, we can build houses for those who don't have shelter and we can find universal health coverage for those who are sick," he said.

Ruto said Kenya's economy was hurting, and on top of his plans as a president, he was asking Kenyans to pray for economic recovery.

"I want you to pray for our economy. We are not in a very good place. We are a country in debt. The Bible says the borrower is a slave to the lender. We are chained to many debts. Sixty-five per cent of all the taxes that we collect are channeled to offsetting debts. That's why I'm asking you to pray for our economy," he said.

The Head of State said the reason Kenya borrowed heavily was that it wasn't saving enough for a rainy day.

"Part of the reason we borrowed heavily from others was that we haven't been prudent in saving for our own nation. The Bible says a good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children. So, instead of us leaving an inheritance for our children, we are leaving debts for them. We cannot continue to borrow from the savings of others," he said.

Kenya's debt burden currently stands at just over Sh8.5 trillion.