Robert Ouko and I birthed National Prayer Breakfast tradition – Kalonzo
By Mabonga Makhanu, September 10, 2025Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has recalled how he and the late Robert Ouko pioneered the National Prayer Breakfast tradition, which continues to be observed to date.
Speaking during an interview on Iko Nini podcast on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, Kalonzo explained that even after Ouko’s demise, he committed himself to carry on with the tradition in honour of his fellow pioneer.
He narrated that his first encounter with the idea came after attending a National Prayer Breakfast in Washington together with Robert Ouko, who was then serving as Foreign Affairs Minister.
Following Ouko’s passing, Kalonzo, alongside the late Speaker Moses Keino, took the initiative to establish the tradition in Kenya. At the time, Keino served as Speaker of the National Assembly while Kalonzo was Deputy Speaker.
Together with colleagues such as Kimani Wanyoike and Sam Owen, they formed a fellowship group that later grew into the official National Prayer Breakfast. Kalonzo went on to become its first chairman after President Mwai Kibaki assumed office.
“I attended the national prayer breakfast in Washington, and we were with Robert Ouko. He was an eloquent foreign minister. In honour of Robert Ouko, I decided to continue with the tradition of the national prayer breakfast. The late Moses Keino and I were there; he was the speaker, and I was the deputy speaker. Then we formed this group. Some people used to say that our group were CIA agents; Kimani Wanyoike and Sam Owen were always there,” Kalonzo stated
His plans
He revealed that at one point, he considered using the platform to bring former Presidents Kibaki and Moi together for reconciliation, though the plan did not materialise after resistance from close allies.
“I was privileged to be the first chairman of the national prayer breakfast after Kibaki took over. I even at some point wanted to invite both Kibaki and Moi to reconcile them, but Matere Kiriri declined,” he added.
The tradition has since evolved into a key annual event that brings together leaders from different political and religious backgrounds to reflect and pray for the nation.