Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has heaped praise on his friend Rev Peter Kimani, who has been installed as the new bishop for Embu County.
Speaking during the ordination of Bishop Kimani in Embu County on Saturday, November 16, Uhuru described the new bishop as a responsible leader, humble, soft-spoken, and kind.
"I want to assure the people of Embu, you have won yourself a very responsible leader, very humble and soft-spoken, the former president said.
While congratulating him, Uhuru has expressed his fear of being left lonely as his long-time friend Bishop Kimani has landed the top job as a priest.
"My friend, my Lord Bishop, I know they have welcomed you here, but now I have lost a friend. I will remain lonely. I will no longer have a friend to laugh with. Now I will only be looking at him from afar," the former President jokingly said.
The former President thanked Pope Francis for choosing his friend to be the new Bishop. He revealed that his friendship with Bishop Kimani brewed from a long time ago and now, although the two will remain friends, Uhuru will no longer be free to joke around with him. "Now I fear him, he is now a boss, he can block my prayers from above," Uhuru lamented.
Uhuru requested the new bishop to welcome them after he had settled in his new post so that they could join Embu residents to develop the Catholic church.
He further took the opportunity to call for unity among leaders, the church, and Kenyans to foster the wholesome development of the country.
“Let's pray for peace in Kenya. Let us pray for cooperation between Kenyan citizens and leaders. Let us stop tribalism and let us love each other,” he urged the crowd.
Uhuru insisted on the importance of respect. Advising his friend, now Bishop, that if a leader respects the people and their wishes, the people will respect them back, a hundredfold.
The event was attended by President William Ruto, his Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, and former DP Rigathi Gachagua who were sharing the same podium for the first time weeks after Gachagua's unceremonious removal from office in October.
His presence in the ceremony was received with warmth with the crowd cheering any time his name is mentioned. His advice to the church and leaders comes after the Catholic Bishops criticized Ruto's governance.
