Ruto Announces National Prayers On Valentines' Day

President William Ruto has announced that Kenya will hold national prayers on Tuesday, February 14, the same day lovers all over the world will be marking Valentine's Day.

Speaking during an interdenominational Church service at the Nakuru Athletic Club Grounds, Nakuru County on Sunday, February 12, Ruto called upon all Kenyans to come to the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on that day to pray for God's intervention during the turbulent times coming during the dry season.

"Because there are problems dealing with climate change, famine, and drought, I would like to request all Kenyans, you have heard about prayers on Tuesday, February 14.

President William Ruto with other leaders during an interdenominational Church service at the Nakuru Athletic Club Grounds, Nakuru County on February 12, 2023. /TWITTER.WILLIAM RUTO

"I'm asking everyone from all religions in the Republic of Kenya from all walks of life, and those who are able to come to Nyayo Stadium should come on the 14th so that we can pray for our nation, especially during these turbulent times of hunger and drought so that God can bless us with rain and watches over us so that Kenyans are able to conquer this drought problem in our country," he appealed.

Alternatively, those who won't make it to the venue physically have the option to hold prayers from their locations across the country so that God blesses the country with rain, with President Ruto noting that they have taken the necessary steps to ensure the successful growth and production of food crops in the country.

"I'm asking Kenyans who won't be able to come to Nyayo Stadium to hold prayers everywhere, in all churches, across all religions, in all corners, in all regions where prayers are held to pray for our country and to ask God to give us rain because we have utilized all plans as a government.

"We have seeds and fertilizers, and have taken all necessary steps to grow food, but they cannot be realised if God does not give us rain. Even if we are sorting out the issues of dams and all matters to do with water harvesting, we still need God to bless us with rain so that Kenya can move forward and not suffer during the dry season," he added.

Reports had initially indicated that First Lady, Rachel Ruto will lead Kenya in the prayers, which are dubbed the National Solemn Assembly. The event will be expected to be graced by clerics and Kenyans from various religious denominations.

The National Altar which is a creation of the first lady in the State House announced the prayers would be held between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. It held its first assignment being the interdenominational prayers on February 12.

Since being sworn into office on September 13, 2022, the President has been holding various thanksgiving and prayer services during his travels across the country, in various churches in different counties. 

In the early days of his presidency, Ruto and the first lady held prayers in the State House, a move believed to have broken the existing protocol.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday, February 5 hit out at critics over the number of services he and President Ruto have been attending every Sunday, taking note of the number of times the critics, as well as the media, have been counting the number of church services President Ruto has been holding since he took power.

He further promised that this will be a routine; holding church services every Sunday, until the end of their current term.

“I have seen our distractors are very concerned that we come to church every Sunday. I read the papers and they said this is your 28th Sunday service since you came to office.