Owuor locks town with dramatic entry, pitches tent at 94-bed facility

[Photo: Harun Wathari ]

Renowned preacher Prophet David Owuor took Nakuru town by storm in his three-day crusade to usher in the New Year, causing the town to come to a standstill.

Moving to and out of the town was curtailed by the huge population of his followers that started arriving last Friday. Those traveling to and from Western Kenya were also caught up in the huge traffic snarl-up.

School buses from across the country were hired by his followers to the crusade. They pitched tents in any available space due to the limited accommodation in town, while hotels and eateries recorded booming businesses.

On Friday, his entourage of more than 30 top-of-the-range vehicles under heavy security escort comprising outriders and seven police vehicles snaked through the streets of Nakuru town to Merica Hotel, along Kenyatta Avenue, where hundreds of his followers braved heavy rain to welcome him.

Merica Hotel, which is his temporary home for four days, was out of bounds for its regular clients and was re-decorated to suit the taste and style of the ministry that has hundreds of followers across the country.

The executive room reserved for Owuor was re-decorated and new furniture, bedding, and curtains brought in.

The front of the three-star hotel was decorated with white and red colors of the church and a podium erected at the entrance where Owuor addressed his congregation on arrival last Friday.

The hotel manager, Joseph Ndunda, confirmed that the church had exclusively booked the 94-bed facility for the four days.

“We decided to make some few adjustments to the hotel to fit the taste and style of the client. We are at 100 percent booking from followers of the ministry,” said Mr. Ndunda.

[Photo:Harun Wathari ]

On arrival, Owuor’s convoy caused a major traffic disruption along Kenyatta Avenue that was flooded with his followers.

The end-year rally is being held at Menengai open ground in Nakuru Town West constituency.

More than 100 school buses were driven to the venue yesterday, causing heavy traffic snarl-up along the busy Nakuru-Eldoret road.

Police vehicles were also spotted conducting patrols and directing vehicles near the venue of the crusade.

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet said that although the law allows for hiring of police officers, it is not to the scale displayed in Owuor’s entourage on Friday.

According to unconfirmed reports, the two police vehicles were intercepted after Boinnet ordered action to be taken against officers who assigned police vehicles to provide Owuor with security.

In a video clip that went viral on social media, there were eight fully-occupied police vehicles with sirens and two motorcycle outriders that accompanied Owuor in a mega entry in Nakuru town on Friday evening.

Yesterday, Owuor was not accompanied by tight police officers as witnessed on Friday as he was driven to Menangai Ground where the three-day crusade is taking place.

During the prayer rally, several followers claimed they had received healing after being prayed for by Owuor.

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