Special prayers for anti-apartheid hero

Kenyans Sunday joined South Africans and the rest of the world in holding special prayers for anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela.

In western Kenya, the Anglican churches allocated time for members to pay tribute to the South African icon.

The worshippers at St Stephen’s Cathedral in Maseno Diocese of Kisumu took time to appreciate the selfless hero and his humility and impartiality in serving humanity.

Rev Naftali Siwa highlighted the need for a Mandela figure in Kenyan leadership. “As we mourn the fallen hero, we hope to find more like him. Leaders in Kenya should emulate his example as a tribute to him and as he rests,” he said.

St Josephs’ Catholic organised a holy mass which was replicated across the sub- parishes in Kisumu Central.

Fr Moses Omollo said: “As heroes are made, Mandela used every talent and wisdom he had to selflessly protect the peace of the forsaken in South Africa and beyond. May God rest his soul in eternal peace.”

In South African, people of all races and religions united in an outpouring of prayer and song for Mandela yesterday, hearing calls to keep his dream of a Rainbow Nation alive.

Churches, mosques, temples and synagogues across the country rang out with hymn and homily — a nationwide day of prayer to begin a week of remembrance for the anti-apartheid icon.

Additional reporting by Agencies