Behind the scenes in run-up to prayers

By PAUL OGEMBA pogemba@ke.nationmedia.com  ( email the author)

Posted  Monday, February 25  2013 at  20:26

In Summary

• Church produced flyers distributed across the country and used road shows especially in Nairobi to invite people to the peace meeting

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What baffled many was the behind the scenes mobilisation that finally brought together all Kenyan tribes from Busia to Malindi, Turkana to Namanga for the Sunday prayers.

Even Kenyan neighbours from South Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania sent representatives to witness the peace declaration at Uhuru Park in Nairobi.

According to the archbishop of the Repentance and Holiness Ministry Dr Paul Onjoro, it was by the grace of God that the church was able to fulfil its prayer for a peaceful election.

“The Bishops council met and planned the meeting, and sent out an announcement over Jesus is Lord Radio. Then we sent out invitations to all Kenyans and the presidential candidates,” said Dr Onjoro.

He said that there was huge mobilisation involving the church’s pastors, telling their congregation to invite their neighbours to attend the meeting.

The church also produced flyers distributed across the country and used road shows especially in Nairobi to invite people to the peace meeting.

Dr Onjoro said preparation for the big meeting started soon after the political parties’ primaries which were marked by disputes and violence.

It is then than Prophet Dr David Owuor warned that the signs from the party primaries were not good as the country prepared for the elections and that there was an urgent need to rally all the presidential candidates to a public declaration of peace.

According to Dr Owuor, the Lord had shown him violence coming to the land after the elections, unless the people repented and renounced violence.

Managing and protecting the huge crowd for three days and nights out in the field at Uhuru Park was no mean task. The Provincial Administration provided security in and outside the park.

No one was allowed to enter the park at will. All entry points had security teams frisking and checking all luggage. The organizers ensured no one went thirsty, as water points were put in strategic places to serve the multitude.

Apart from the live presidential debates on all television stations which brought all the candidates together, the peace meeting at Uhuru Park brought six, save for Musalia Mudavadi and Paul Muite who did not turn up.

“We invited all presidential candidates to come for the peace declaration. Many politicians have been coming to the revival and healing meetings and have witnessed the massive healing. Kenyans gathered together so they had to honour the invitations,” said Dr Onjoro.

The church managed to bring erstwhile political foes together, who in a show of solidarity, held their hands together and solemnly lifted them up as a declaration of peace, irrespective of the outcome of the March 4 General Election.

Unlike in many political meetings where people get ferried to rallies to fill up the space, those who attended the prayer meeting at Uhuru Park came of their own volition.

“Those coming for the prayer meeting arranged their own transport. Some hired vehicles while others used public transport,” said Dr Onjoro.

Apart from the peace prayers, others returned home with double blessings after receiving miraculous healing.

Ms Josephine Atieno who travelled from Molo said her 10-year-old grandson John Oleko regained his sight.

Although the three day prayer meeting was absolutely draining, thousands of people who turned up went back home satisfied with the solemn peace declaration made by the presidential candidates.

Seeing presidential candidates Prime Minister Raila Odinga, his deputy Uhuru Kenyatta, Martha Karua, Peter Kenneth, James ole Kiyiapi and Mohammed Dida, and Mr Kenyatta’s running mate, former Eldoret North MP William Ruto in the same podium was a solemn show that this country will never again go down the drains.

Any passer-by could not fail to notice the spectacle of thousands of people gathered with white handkerchiefs and banners bearing messages of peace, repentance, reconciliation and renouncing violence.

Even former Mungiki members came in their numbers with a huge banner bearing the inscription: “Mungiki Repents and Renounces Violence.”

The message was clear even to those who watched the meeting on TV — Kenyans are not prepared for another violence like that which rocked the country in 2007/2008 leading to the death of over 1,300 people.