God-fearing President Ruto should save Kenya from moral decay

President William Ruto reads a verse from the Bible as he addresses religious leaders at his Sugoi home, Eldoret, Uasi Gishu, July 3, 2020. [DPPS]

With an avowed Christian at the helm of our country, Kenya stands the chance of revival into a moral nation winning President William Ruto a unique legacy. The president has been established by God.

It is Biblical, that "Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established" (Romans 13:1).

Your Excellency, God gave you this land when it was at its lowest moral ebb to seize the opportunity missed for 60 years of descent into decay. As a God-fearing president, you have the opportunity to save it from further destruction. No legacy surpasses saving the nation from the morass.

It's either that, or you will be the last straw that sounded Kenya its death-knell, when only you had the opportunity to save it. With the examples of failed states in the region and beyond, the writing is on the wall.

You and Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera are the only professed Christian presidents in Africa. You knelt down in prayer during the swearing-in ceremony. You have done that on other occasions.

You are the first one to become president in your first attempt. You are the best versed in the Bible of all our former Presidents. All these firsts make you comparable to the Biblical David, "the man after God's heart".

Kenya is going through its worst on many fronts. The Opposition has a role to play. It is strong and committed. You have the God-given role to pray. As the African proverb goes, "Cows do not stop drinking water from the well because of croaking frogs next to their nostrils".

King Jehosaphat

You are like King Jehosaphat of Israel. Although Jehoshaphat's is an old story, the word of the Bible is new every day. King Jehoshaphat, one of the most righteous rulers, obeyed God. However, he surrounded himself with people of bad character. Make sure those around you reflect your Godliness or purge them. Your success lies in national moral rearmament.

Kenyans have abandoned values at all human development stages and stations in life. It's a matter of law enforcement to reduce theft, runaway corruption, money laundering, tenderpreneurship, abductions and child trafficking.

Christian parenting should be reinvigorated against early sex, teenage pregnancies, abortions, drug and alcohol abuse, among others. Community and societal sensitisation should be enhanced on the virtues of respect for the elderly, civility and trustworthiness.

Our government should institute national emotional health programmes to stem murders and suicides. Leaders should set examples of law enforcement and obedience to court orders and zero violation of the Constitution.

Professional bodies should be stringent against professional negligence, exercise of integrity and ethical practices. The list is endless. Addressing these vices will endear you to more Kenyans than any development projects. Without morals, there will be no Kenya tomorrow.

Your presidency will succeed because you have the God-given instruments of power and God's grace.

-Mr Kimani is a consultant in conflict management and peace-building, a mediator and counselling psychologist