Sick, healthy congregators stream to Kisumu for Pastor Owuor's prayer rally

Hundreds of people suffering from various diseases arrived at Kibos grounds for a three-day prayer and healing service rally to be led by Pastor David Owuor.

The followers arrived in Kisumu Town on Wednesday for the New Year prayers to be held at the grounds on Thursday.

“In fact, we have a special gate for the sick where they are interviewed by the media before getting in,” Pastor Hellen Ochieng’, an overseer at Dr Owour’s church, said on Wednesday.

The preacher is expected to be at the grounds to mark the official start of a service that will usher in 2016.

Members of the Repentance and Holiness Ministry spruced up the town with drapers decorating main roundabouts and major roads to the town.

As is now becoming a tradition by the followers, they are expected to clean the roads that Dr Owuor will use to get to the grounds.

Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma went to the 87 acre grounds to welcome Dr Owuor to the town.

The preacher is expected to address an international pastors conference on January 2 at Jomo Kenyatta Sports Grounds.

The prayers are expected to attract thousands of followers. Key hotels in Kisumu are already fully booked for the preacher’s visitors.

Mr Ranguma said he was confident about the preparations put in place to host the huge numbers expected at the meeting.

He hailed the high level of security in place further assuring that there will be a 24-hour surveillance in the area to ward of any threats.

More than more than 1,200 uniformed and plain clothed police officers have been deployed.

“This is a blessing for Kisumu. We will not be the same again after such a multitude prays with us here,” the governor said in a press conference.

The meeting is also a boom for traders who have already pitched tent to reap from the large crowds.

Three major hotels: 4-star Acacia Premier, Kisumu Hotel and Imperial Express have been closed for exclusive use by more than 500 international guests accompanying Dr Owuor.