President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto are set to share a table for the first time after months of avoiding each other.
The two leaders, who have fallen out over 2022 succession politics and the Building Bridges Initiative, are expected to grace the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday.
The annual event, in which political leaders, including ODM leader Raila Odinga, Musalia Mudavadi (ANC) and Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), have been invited, will take place at Parliament Buildings.
Uhuru and Ruto have met twice face to face this year – on February 15 during the burial of former Cabinet minister Simeon Nyachae in Kisii and February 25 during a Cabinet meeting at State House, Nairobi.
The two no longer read from the same script in the running of government affairs. Uhuru, who has edged Ruto out of the government in what is seen as a move to cut DP’s influence in government circles, has chosen to concentrate on legacy projects and BBI-driven constitutional amendment.
On the other hand, Ruto, who is opposed to the push to amend the Constitution in the wake of an economic meltdown caused by the effects of Covid-19, is crafting his 2022 game plan.
Makueni MP Daniel Maanzo, who co-chairs the prayer committee with West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio, on Tuesday said Uhuru and Ruto have been invited to the event.
In a phone interview with the Star, Maanzo said they hope the prayers will provide a platform for "the leaders to reach out to each other and reconcile".
“From my point of view, I do not think there are personal differences between the President and the Deputy President. A day in politics is too long, and we pray and hope that our leaders will see the sense to unite for the sake of the nation,” he said.
The lawmaker said governments are put in place by God and those in leadership need to repent for the nation to heal.
“We have invited both the President and Deputy President, among other leaders. We have speakers and ministers of God who will speak to us, and it is our hope that at the end of the prayers, we will see genuine forgiveness,” he said.
He continued, “We are facing a lot of challenges as a country both politically and economically and the Bible tells us that a nation which relies on God and repents is blessed and healed. We will dedicate our country to the Lord.”
The 2018 and 2019 prayer events were cordial and characterised by humour, laughter and wittingly phrased jibes. For instance, in 2018 at Safari Park Hotel, Uhuru and Ruto took turns extending a hand of friendship reconciliation to Raila and Kalonzo.
The highlight of the event was when Uhuru, Ruto, Raila and Kalonzo exchanged hugs in turns, pleasantries and laughter, that coming after the gruelling 2017 campaign season that left the country divided.
The 2019 event at the same venue was equally warm, with the President and the Deputy President leaving the gathering in stitches.
Due to Covid-19, Parliament could not organise one last year. Instead, there was a brief inter-religious prayer meeting at State House, Nairobi.
Bishop Godfrey Migwi of House of Hope Church, Nairobi, described the prayers as a waste of time, saying they have become feasting sessions instead of meaningful repentance and reconciliation.
The cleric, who spoke to the Star on the phone, said Uhuru and Ruto should first reconcile before attending the prayers.
“The Bible in the book of Matthew 5:23 to 24 says that if you are offering your gift on the altar and remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar and first go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift,” Migwi said.
If the prayers materialise, it will serve as an icebreaker for the two leaders who are also expected to grace Madaraka Day celebrations next Tuesday in Kisumu.
Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua asked Uhuru to work with Ruto regardless of their differences. Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Tuesday morning, she said Uhuru should bring the country together during the last stretch of his final term.
"He should be bringing the nation together, leading by example by having good relations with his deputy even when they do not agree," she said.
"Having the handshake with Raila does not mean that he cannot continue having good relations with his deputy.”
Karua said Uhuru has set a very bad example.
“One wonders then, who would want to be a DP in those circumstances?" she posed.
Karua said previously that Kenya had some governors mistreating their deputies.
Comments
Post a Comment