Bodaboda operators, mechanics in Ruaka down tools to pray over coronavirus

Mechanics and bodaboda operators in Ruaka town on Saturday downed their tools to pray against the coronavirus pandemic.

They were joining thousands of Kenyans across the country in the National Prayers day following the outbreak of the new coronavirus.

In photos seen by Citizen Digital, the mechanics, bodaboda operators and traders could be seen on their knees with their hands stretched towards the heavens.

Kenya has so far confirmed seven positive cases of the COVID-19 disease whose global figures stood at 276,474 as of Saturday morning, according to Worldometers website.

Total number of deaths worldwide is 11,417 and recovered cases are 91,954.

On Saturday starting 12pm, the national prayer day will be conducted from State House, Nairobi.

President Kenyatta said the purpose of the prayer day will be to ask God for forgiveness for any wrongdoings, as well as protection and blessing.

“Let us join hands together on Saturday. Let us pray for our country. Let us pray for our unity. Let us pray to see this pandemic resolved and let us pledge to love one another, to live in peace and harmony with each other and let us pray that the world will once again refocus itself on those things that are good, on those things that are virtuous, on those things that are peaceful,” the President said.

He urged Kenyans to watch or listen from their respective locations and avoid large crowds as part of preventive measures against contracting coronavirus.

Citizen TV will broadcast the event that starts at 12pm: streaming will also be live on the station’s YouTube platform.

26 religious leaders will conduct the prayers with Bishop David Oginde (Christ is the Answer Ministries) and Archbishop Anthony Muheria (Archbishop of Nyeri/Kitui) as the Masters of Ceremony.