National Prayer Breakfast Will Dishonour God- Azimio Leaders To Skip Event

The Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition has announced that it will skip the National Prayer Breakfast scheduled for Wednesday, June 7 at the Safari Park Hotel.

In a statement, Azimio led by former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga revealed that it received an invitation to the event.

"Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party wishes to confirm that its leaders received an invitation to the National Prayer Breakfast scheduled to take place at the Safari Park Hotel tomorrow, 7th June 2023.

"The party, we believe the times require that as a country, we should approach our Creator and the Protector of our nation with honesty and humility and also talk to our people truthfully, frankly and boldly on the issues facing the nation today," the statement read in part.

However, the opposition coalition poked holes at the national event noting that it strayed from its real purpose of offering the atmosphere the country needs for humility before God.

Azimio added that the event is likely to have displays of arrogance and superiority battles mainly orchestrated by leaders from the Kenya Kwanza government.

"If past events where we have shared platforms with Kenya Kwanza are to serve as a guide, Azimio is convinced that the National Prayer Breakfast does not offer the environment the country needs for humility before God, honesty with citizens and respect between leaders.

"Instead, the event will dishonour God and country with a display of arrogance, superiority battles, false hopes to citizens and vitriolic post-event mischaracterization and misinterpretation of intentions by well-known Kenya Kwanza leaders. We have therefore declined the invitation to the breakfast," the statement added.

The coalition however announced that its members of parliament (MP) are free to attend the function.

"The beauty of our faith is that we answer to an Almighty and Omnipresent God who, over the ages, has answered to prayers offered from the mansions of Kings and queens as well as those of neglected people in forgotten parts of the earth," added the statement.

On Monday, June 5, members of the National Prayer Breakfast Organising Committee met President William Ruto for a debriefing at State House ahead of the event, an annual non-sectarian event which is a collaborative effort between the Speakers of the National Assembly and the Senate.

The two Speakers led the team in calling on the President who will together with his deputy Rigathi Gachagua attend the meeting, the first under the Kenya Kwanza administration.

The 2023 annual prayer meeting was due to take place on May 31 but was postponed to June 7. Top government officials are part of the more than 2,500 invited guests.

“The primary aim of this event is to bring together leaders from diverse sectors of society, fostering an inclusive environment where they can unite in prayer for the nation’s welfare,” said National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangu’la.

“Overseeing the successful execution of this significant gathering is the National Prayer Breakfast Organizing Committee, of which I am a part. Alongside a dedicated team of passionate volunteers, we are wholeheartedly devoted to making this event a reality” he added.

The prayers take place amid heated debate on a raft of proposed tax measures that would raise the price of food and other basic items. The Housing Fund levy has also elicited mixed reactions among public servants who are grappling with the high cost of living, increasing taxes, and a shrinking pay slip.

Church leaders who will gather for the event are also in the spotlight over unscrupulous churches preying on desperate Kenyans in the wake of the Shakahola massacre which has claimed the lives of more than 243 followers of Pastor Paul Mackenzie.

Speakers Moses Wetangula (National Assembly) and Amason Kingi (Senate) part of the National Prayer Breakfast Organizing Committee which met President Ruto at State House on June 5, 2023, ahead of the National Prayer Breakfast on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. /MOSES WETANGULA