Health CS Mutahi Kagwe (2nd right) flanked by Akorino church leaders during the Annual National Akorino prayers at the Kasarani sports complex, Nairobi on Sunday. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The Akorino church declared its full support for President Uhuru Kenyatta at its annual national prayer convention on Sunday.

Deputy President William Ruto was expected to attend the event but cancelled at the last minute. His spokesman, Emmanuel Tallam, said Ruto was unable to make it because he had another church function in the city.

During the prayer meeting, dubbed Praying for the President, at Kasarani Stadium, Akorino Secretary-General Abraham Macharia said the church has a divine mandate to support the head of State.

The president did not attend the meeting but was represented by Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.

Last year's prayer event held at the same venue ended with Uhuru taking a swipe at Ruto and his allies from central Kenya.

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“We are siding with the president since it’s our divine mandate to pray for him. We will not stop supporting and praying for him,” Macharia said yesterday.

On Sunday, as the Akorino event was underway in Kasarani, Ruto was attending the installation of the African Inland Church (AIC) Nairobi area bishop Rev Joshua Nzau Kimuyu at Ziwani AIC in Starehe.

At the Kasarani event, Kagwe spoke of the special relationship between the Akorino and Uhuru's family.

“Even his father, the late Mzee, had a very special relationship with you. I was pleased when the secretary-general recognised that even the former first lady, Mama Ngina Kenyatta, still has a relationship with you just like the president,” the CS said.

On Sunday, Kagwe asked the Akorino to firmly stand behind Uhuru without fear of intimidation.

“You are the pillars of the president, therefore go on with the same spirit. Continue supporting and praying for him. Put our president first and remember, praying for him is very important,” he said.

Kagwe was accompanied by, among other government officials, Health PS Nicholas Muraguri, Education CAS Zack Kinuthia, Murang’a Woman Rep Sabina Chege, Ruiru MP Simon King'ara and Mathioya MP Peter Kimari.