5 special things that happened during today’s National Prayer Day

brian oruta

May 31, 2018 1:10 PM

The National Prayer Breakfast was held on Thursday

As the country marked a rather unusual National Prayer Breakfast at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, five things stood out in the event that had most Kenyans glued to their TV screens.

President Uhuru Kenyatta led several high profile leaders at the event including Cabinet Secretaries, Members of Parliament, Foreign Envoys as well as Somali President Abdullahi Mohamed.

Here are the 5 special things that stood out;

Hugshakes

The event was filled with hugs from President Kenyatta and Opposition Chief Odinga after a United States Senator asked them to hug as a way to show that they had moved on from the handshake to a hug.

Deputy President William Ruto also took time to shake hands and hug with NASA leader Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka for the first time since the golden handshake.

"We are moving from the handshake to the hugs," Senator Inhofe stated.

Forgiveness

The leaders took the time to ask for forgiveness from one another led by the President and his DP Ruto. They both asked for forgiveness from the former Prime Minister and Kalonzo who did the same in return.

“We have campaigned against one another, we have said nasty things about each other, and we have hurt one another. On my behalf ndugu, I ask for your forgiveness and I tender my apology,” said Kenyatta.

Uhuru, Ruto, Raila and Kalonzo meet

This was also the first time Opposition leaders Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka met at the same event with the President and his deputy after years of heated political rivalry.

U.S. Senators

Notably, it was the first time the National Prayer Breakfast was attended by sitting United States Senators, James Inhofe and Tim Walberg who encouraged leaders from across the political divide to unite in prayers as a way of encouraging unity, as he prayed for the Head of State and Odinga.

"We meet, both parties in the US capital. We eat, we sing, not quite as beautifully as your parliamentary choir, and we pray together," said Walberg.

Somalia President

Somalia President Abdullahi Mohamed also attended the National Prayer Breakfast.

brian oruta