The Atheists In Kenya Society has fingered the Kenyan government for organising the National Prayer Breakfast held on Tuesday, 7, 2023, terming it as a waste of money and an insult to Kenyans.

“The National Prayer Breakfast is a waste of taxpayers’ money and an insult to Kenyans who are struggling with the high cost of living and unemployment,” a statement signed by the association’s president Harrison Mumia, reads in part.

In the press statement, the atheists’ society insists that the prayer breakfast is a mockery to the many Kenyans struggling to cope with the skyrocketing cost of living and rate of unemployment, insisting that the National Prayer Breakfast should be abolished.

“Kenyans are not interested in the National Prayer Breakfast,” the statement added.

According to the society, the Kenya Kwanza government came to power with a promise to create jobs and tackle the high cost of living, but are now losing their edge , as many Kenyans continue to painfully stomach the high cost of basic amenities.

“Almost a year since the William Ruto administration came to power, millions of Kenyans remain unemployment or underemployment. The cost of basic commodities is still unaffordable for many Kenyans,” the statement read.

The atheists are of the opinion that the Kenya Kwanza government has not addressed the pressing needs of Kenyans with the cost of living and unemployment toping the list of urgent issues.

Who missed prayer breakfast?

The remarks come after the 20th Annual National Prayer Breakfast was held at Safari Park Hotel, with the attendance of key leaders both in the government and opposition in except Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition principals.

In a statement, Raila had confirmed receiving the invitation to the event, but stated that the prayer breakfast is the opposite of humility and honesty which are the virtues through which the people of Kenya should approach their creator.

As the atheists and the Azimio principles distanced themselves from the National Prayer Breakfast, leaders who attended the event took chances to comment on the crucial topics of discussion: cost of living and cohesion in the country.

Sabina Chege, who is a member of the Jubilee party, believed to be part of the current opposition, stated that herself and others in Azimio have chosen the path of reconciliation, with a supporting comment from Esther Passariss who insisted on the importance of unity as a nation, also confessing that as part of the former regime, they too made mistakes.

Prayer Breakfast to be held Thursdays

National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula extended his gratitude to his predecessors for initiating the annual Prayer Breakfast and emphasised on the importance of prayer.

“In accordance with our theme today, we will set aside our political differences, whether within this room or elsewhere, and draw inspiration from the political, religious, and business speakers of today, as well as all attendees. We must stand united as a people, and Kenya shall forever remain united,” Wetang’ula said.

Wetang’ula additionally announced that in the coming days, the National Prayer Breakfast will be held on the last Thursday of May.

Interestingly, at the event, President William Ruto poked fun at his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta over his political dalliance with the opposition party, eight months after his retirement.

The president also insisted on the importance of actualising reconciliation, as the theme of the prayer breakfast, sentiments from some Kenyans on twitter had different views.