Kenyans are seeking divine help to end the ongoing drought.
With the prospect of a sixth consecutive failed rainy season in the east and Horn of Africa, Kenya’s President hopes that the heavens will finally open with the help of a national day of mass prayer.
On Sunday, February 12, 2023, President William Ruto announced the plans for the country’s first ever day of prayer at a service in the drought-stricken city of Nakuru, some 100 miles (160 kilometers) from the capital Nairobi.
It follows a joint call by the country’s spiritual leaders to dedicate an entire day to prayer to ease drought conditions in the nation.
The President invited Kenyans to join in prayer from wherever they are, asking for God’s intervention in bringing rain and blessings to the country.
Ruto’s own ambitious economic revival strategy for the country is also dependent on a successful rainy season.
“As a government we have set out elaborate plans for food security. We have seeds, ample fertilizer, and water harvesting strategies including dams. We now need God to send us the rain. I urge all people from all faiths to pray for our country.”
President William Ruto
Kenya and other East African nations have been experiencing some of the worst drought conditions in decades, causing crop failure, loss of livestock, wildlife and biodiversity, and malnutrition.
Domestic agriculture is a large part of Kenya’s economy.
The U.N. humanitarian agency has termed the ongoing drought in the region a “rapidly unfolding humanitarian catastrophe.”
Meteorologists say human-caused climate change has been exacerbating the extreme conditions.
“It is time we started including climate change as factor in our development plans. The current drought which we warned about some years ago has wider ramifications on the social economic conditions of the region including peace, security, and political stability.”
Evans Mukolwe, former Director of the Kenyan and U.N. weather agencies
Mukolwe added that climate change has contributed to below average rainy seasons in the region for about three decades.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development’s climate center has disclosed that since 2020, five rainy seasons have failed, affecting over 50 million people.
The center will release its projections for the long rains season, typically from March to May, later in February. Early projections from other meteorological groups are not optimistic.
Around the world people from different faiths have often sought divine intervention for rain or other favorable weather. Last summer, Milan’s Archbishop made a pilgrimage to three churches in hopes of ending the country’s dry spell and Utah’s governor called for citizens to pray for rain ahead of a weekend of extreme heat.
Nairobi business owner, Millicent Nyambura said she supported the idea, “even though it will affect my colleagues in the flower business who expect to boost sales on Valentine’s Day.”
First Lady Among Officials At Nyayo Stadium for National Prayers
Kenyans trooped to Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi to attend the National Prayer Day.
First Lady Rachel Ruto and Second Lady, Pastor Dorcas Gachagua, are among high-ranking government officials who arrived at the stadium.
President William Ruto and his Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua are also due to attend the prayers which aim to address the country’s drought and hunger situation.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Attorney General Justin Muturi are also among the other leaders in attendance.
The people wore caps with the Kenyan flag and raised flags on their hands while praying.
Several ambulances were on standby to respond to medical emergencies. The National Youth Service deployed personnel to direct people to their seats as they arrived for the occasion. At the gates, police officers frisked all those arriving for the event
According to government estimates, 4.3 million Kenyans are in dire need of food assistance.
Those at risk of starvation mostly include people living in Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) counties.
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