Uhuru’s key message as he leads national prayers

President Uhuru Kenyatta today urged Kenyans to uphold peace before, during and after October 26 as he asked them to turn out in large numbers to vote during the fresh presidential election on Thursday. 

Speaking at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru County when he led the country in national prayers, President Kenyatta called on Kenyans not to allow politicians to incite them to fight. 

“Even as I urge all Kenyans to come out and vote, those who will vote and those who will not must remember that after October 26 they will still be neighbours and they must continue to live together harmoniously,” President Kenyatta said.

 He added: “If all Kenyans embrace peace, Kenya will emerge a stronger nation after October 26.”

President Kenyatta called on Kenyans to pray for the country after consultations with religious leaders last week, culminating in the national day of prayer held today across the nation.

Kenyatta, who went on to read out a prayer at the Afraha Stadium, said that he stood by his decision to have the prayer rally as the country “needed to go before God and ask for guidance through the ongoing turbulent political times.”

“We pray that you give us peace as Kenyans that we may know peace and not allow ourselves to be divided along basis of tribe, religion or colour,” Kenyatta prayed in Swahili language.

In a prayer that called for peace and urged democracy, the Head of State also prayed for Kenyans to “continue engaging after October 26 despite political differences in peace.”

Kenyatta added that he respected the right of every Kenyan, regardless of whether they planned to vote during Thursday’s repeat election or if they decided to boycott the poll.

Deputy President William Ruto, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and the Deputy President’s wife, Rachel Ruto, were among the Kenyans who thronged Afraha Stadium for the special interdenominational prayer service.

 The DP urged Kenyans to say no to the politics of tribalism and hatred that had the potential of plunging the country into trouble. 

“I know there is anxiety in the country. I know there are those who do not know what will happen. But we have come to Nakuru for prayers so that the country can know all is well and that God is in charge. And like He has done before, He will take us across this hurdle,” the Deputy President said.

With three days left to the presidential election, political tension is high in the country due to the tough positions taken by the ruling Jubilee Party and the National Super Alliance (NASA) opposition coalition over the repeat poll.

Jubilee insists the election will go on as planned while NASA has called for countrywide demonstrations on the October 26 election day.

Meanwhile, the first batch of election material arrived in the country on Saturday, October 21 and the IEBC was today set to begin distributing the ballot papers to various counties.