Orwoba: What is the worst-case scenario if we abolish National Prayer Breakfast?
By Mabonga Makhanu, May 29, 2026Former nominated senator Gloria Orwoba has questioned what the worst-case scenario would be if the National Prayer Breakfast were abolished, arguing that Kenya would still continue praying even without the high-profile annual event.
Speaking during an interview on Friday, May 29, 2026, the outspoken Kisii Woman Rep hopeful maintained that scrapping the event would not stop national prayers but would instead allow the country to rethink how public funds are utilised amid rising calls for austerity.
“If the national prayer were removed, do you think the country would have no prayers? What is the worst-case scenario?”
Orwoba argued that funds used to organise such high-profile events could instead be redirected to urgent public needs, such as equipping schools with fire extinguishers and improving safety standards in learning institutions.
She pointed to the tragedy at Utumishi Girls High School, where 16 learners lost their lives, saying the incident exposed serious gaps in the implementation of the National School Safety Standards of 2008.
According to her, the main challenge has been inadequate funding, something she believes could be addressed if unnecessary expenditures, such as the National Prayer Breakfast, were redirected to this.
Orwoba also questioned Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s decision to fly to Utumishi Girls using a helicopter, estimating that the trip may have cost around Ksh350,000.
She argued that such an amount could have instead been used to purchase several fire extinguishers for school dormitories, which she says could help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Ndindi Nyoro’s view
She further took issue with Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, who has also recently been vocal on austerity measures.
Who had recently argued that if Parliament were to drastically cut its travel budget, billions of shillings could be saved and redirected toward critical services such as school safety infrastructure.
Her fury also stems from the National Prayer Breakfast, which was held yesterday at Safari Park Hotel, coinciding with the Utumishi Girls tragedy.
Manyora’s view
While speaking during his daily analysis on his YouTube channel on Thursday, May 29, 2026, the outspoken political commentator went full throttle at the prayer meeting, adding that it was a gathering of looters.
“That was a gathering of pretenders; people who gathered there are the people who have destroyed this country and continue to destroy it. If they were truly sons of God, then this country would not be where it is now. Those are the people who are responsible for all the mess in this country,” he said.