Uhuru leads in taking Kenyans’ pain to God

President Uhuru Kenyatta Thursday led the country’s political leaders in taking Kenya’s troubles to God, as his Deputy William Ruto wiped a tear, again, after recounting the elections story.

It was a cold morning in a tent, and the showers did not help matters at the first National Prayer Breakfast attended by the president and his deputy since assuming office.

They were joined at Safari Park Hotel by the Speakers of the Senate and that of the National Assembly, Governors, Senators and MPs, Judges, Cabinet Secretaries, diplomats and business leaders.

But how many Kenyans believe politicians can be really piety? Mr Ruto recounted an event several years ago in Western Kenya when someone volunteered to lead prayers. But a man from the crowd doubted whether the person could really get the message to God.

“You mean Mr Yego’s prayers still get to heaven?” Mr Ruto told an amused audience. It turned out Mr Yego was a popular politician then.

Thursday, some MPs entertained guests with gospel songs, but Mr Ruto was quick to tell the crowd: “When you see MPs singing here, many people are in doubt sometimes.

“But I want to say prayer is not a ritual, it is serious business. If you are in doubt, ask Uhuru Kenyatta and myself,” he added.

Mr Ruto turned his “personal reflections” as the event programme stated, into recounting how their prayer with the President was often rehearsed. They believed that the “blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God.”

“Many people told us you will not succeed, but God made it possible. Because we not only succeeded in bringing people together, but we won the election,” he said before he ventured into their secrets.

After the IEBC announced that Jubilee had won, the two were invited to State House by outgoing President Mwai Kibaki. “As we arrived there, we went to the office where long time we used to go and see Nyayo (retired President Moi) inside. But when we were going in, the president told me, ‘My friend, please pray first’”. They had a chat with Kibaki, and then they went outside, only for an aide to throw another joke at them.

“This gentleman told us: ‘Supposing somebody shows up and says, sorry gentlemen, there was a small mistake (in the election results), what will you do?’”

These days, Mr Ruto noted, people still don’t know how to call him. Some “demote” him to Vice Deputy President or worst, Deputy Governor.

“But I am a very proud person to be your deputy,” he said.