Gachagua Defends Nakuru Prayer Rally After Uproar

An image of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during a church service at Deliverance Church in Ruai, Nairobi County on February 5, 2023
An image of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during a church service at Deliverance Church in Ruai, Nairobi County on February 5, 2023
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William Ruto

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday, February 5 came out to defend the planned Nakuru National Praye rally.

In his remarks during a church service at Deliverance Church in Ruai Nairobi County, Gachagua revealed that the Nakuru prayer rally was important because of a pledge they made in the 2017 campaigns.



“Nakuru is important because in 2017 retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and yourself (Ruto) went to Nakuru and prayed for victory. The two of you made a commitment that if God granted you the victory you shall come back to Nakuru,” he opined.

In a jibe at the Azimio leader Raila Odinga, Gachagua blamed Odinga for the failure of Uhuru to honour the pledge.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga during the ODM NDC at Kasarani, in Nairobi on February 26, 2022.
Former president Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga during the ODM NDC at Kasarani, in Nairobi on February 26, 2022.
Courtesy

However, after March 9 when Raila came to the government, he convinced our former President that prayers were not necessary. We tried to ask him to go to Nakuru to say thank you but he could not hear,” he lamented.

“The country faced unprecedented problems after we cheated God that we will go to say thank you. The country got into an economic crisis, businesses were destroyed, goods were torched, women were evicted from their homes in the night during the pandemic, and brother turned against brother. We are going to Nakuru because God granted us victory in 2022,” he added.

He also stated that the Nakuru rally was to thank God for the 2022 peaceful elections and a smooth transition.



"We want to request our spiritual leaders to intercede for this country to give us rain, to save our young people from illicit brews and drugs. The disease of cancer that has ravaged homes leaving death and destruction," Gachagua requested.

On February 2, Gachagua announced that preparations were underway for National Prayers Day which was scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 12, 2023, in the Rift Valley.

He noted that National Prayers Day will be graced by President William Samoei Ruto and Kenyans from across the country.

Gachagua added that religious leaders would also lead the nation in praying for rains, fast economic recovery and also intercede for the youth to overcome the alcohol and drug abuse.

“Prayers will be offered for a fast economic recovery as well as saving our youth from illicit brews and drug abuse. The clergy will also pray for the healing of the nation, from the scourge of cancer, and for peace and security for all communities to live together in harmony,” Gachagua noted

The move by the government to hold the prayer rally met opposition with Atheists in Kenya terming it a waste of taxpayers money.

"We are opposed to the National Prayer Day announced by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The Kenya Kwanza administration should stop wasting taxpayers' money on such events," read part of the statement.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (left) chats with governors from the Rift Valley region after a meeting at the Harambee Annex on February 2, 2023.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (left) chats with governors from the Rift Valley region after a meeting at the Harambee Annex on February 2, 2023.
Rigathi Gachagua
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