Calls for forgiveness dominated the  2022 National Prayer breakfast with demands for leaders to preach peace and accept the results of the forthcoming elections.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto called for a peaceful election that will unite the people during and after the exercise.

“There will only be one winner as we have been told, and our prayer is that we shall accept, move forward and live to fight another day,” Uhuru said yesterday during the National Prayer Breakfast meeting held at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi.

The Head of State added: “I wish those who are vying the best of luck and my prayer is we will accept and move forward.”

And responding to Ruto’s earlier statement that he wished him well in retirement and that “God answers” all his prayers, the President stated, tongue in cheek; “It is my prayer that we all end up much united after this election like never before. I also do hope that the prayers of DP Ruto will come true, I am looking forward to peace and enjoyment in years to come…”

Uhuru also restated his desire to leave the office with clean hands as he proceeds to retirement.

“It is my intention to pass on the baton unbroken. I am looking forward to a lot of peace in retirement,” the President said.

Ruto took the occasion to seek forgiveness against those he had wronged including his boss, the President.

“Serving as the Deputy President, I may have fallen short of the expectations of my boss, the President, my good friend; I ask for your forgiveness,” he told the gathering that included MPs, senators, Chief Justice Martha Karua and the Speakers of the National Assembly and Senate Justin Muturi and Kenneth Lusaka respectively.

Also in attendance were the Anglican Church of Kenya’s head Jackson Ole Sapit, Nyeri Catholic Diocese Archbishop Anthony Muheria among other religious leaders.

Conspicuously absent

Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga, Kenya Kwanza leaders Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula as well as Wiper boss Kalonzo were conspicuously absent with the ODM leader represented by his running-mate, Martha Karua

The DP, who spoke on behalf of the Kenya Kwanza team, also asked for forgiveness from Kenyans for failures the Jubilee government could have committed during its 10 years in power.

“To the people of Kenya, I ask for your forgiveness. We have not been as united as we should have been. We have failed in some areas. I forgive anyone who has wronged me. I want to go to this election hurt free,” he stated.

The DP also noted that the upcoming elections were likely to cause apprehension but assured that he and his supporters will maintain peace and harmony throughout the period. “I know there is anxiety as to what will happen with the coming elections. On behalf of my team and I, we will do everything in our power to ensure the polls are peaceful,” Ruto said.

Ruto also thanked the President for according him a chance to serve under him, terming it an honour.

“I have had the privilege of serving as the Deputy President for the last 10 years. It is an honour that I cherish,” he said.

Karua challenged leaders to match their words with action and desist from preaching hate. “I pray that after this prayer, our action will match our words. Let us compete with ideas and not insults,” Karua pleaded as she also thanked the DP for giving her a chance to address the gathering.

Unlike past prayer events, the clergy took control of yesterday’s event, with very minimal presence of politicians.

 Addressing the gathering, Chief Justice Martha Koome asked all candidates seeking various elective seats to accept the outcome of the August 9 polls as well as ensure their supporters maintain peace during the elections.

Just solutions

Should there be any disagreements, the CJ asked the contenders not to incite their supporters to violence or use extra-judicial means to air their grievances but to seek fair and just solutions according to the rule of law.

 “Let everybody know, that this country belongs to all of us and not to politicians. No one has a right to rob another of their peace and dignity,” she said.

“I pray that the campaigns be devoid of name-calling, but be issue-oriented and not personality-driven,” she added.

Her sentiments were echoed by Lusaka, who asked all State and public officers to act with the utmost caution, moderation and temperance, especially in this time of transition.

“As we go to elections, let us have peaceful elections, let God guide us. I want to ask the clergy to keep acting as our true north to ensure we do not go overboard in our quest for the positions. We earnestly seek for our own benefit,” Lusaka said.

Former presiding Bishop of Christ is the Answer Ministries Dr David Oginde regretted that in every election, there has been uncertainty because politicians have made elections a do-or-die affair, in which supporters believe their candidates are the best or the most legitimate, and therefore must win.