Uhuru Declares National Prayer Weekend As Parents Groan Over Reopening of Schools

The three days to the reopening of schools in Kenya will be used for prayers starting Friday, October 7, 2020.

President Uhuru Kenyatta in a statement on Wednesday said the country will be in a prayer mode this weekend.

Unlike in the past, the head of state did not have a straight forward agenda for the inter-faith national prayers which he asked Kenyans to participate in from their respective churches.

State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena in a statement said on  State House will host the main prayer event on Saturday starting at 10am.

"His Excellency the President has dedicated the forthcoming weekend, Friday 9th to Sunday 11th October 2020, a national weekend of prayer during which Kenyans are encouraged to pray for the country in their usual places of worship in compliance with the Covid-19 containment protocols," an announcement by State House reads in part.

The event at State House will be broadcast live on all leading media station and digital platforms.

This is in the backdrop of complaints by parents over what has been termed as rushed move to reopen schools.

A number of parents feel the short notice would hurt them due to inadequate planning for resumption of learning.

In March this year, State House also played hosts to the national prayer day over the pandemic. The event was attended by ODM leader Raila Odinga, DP William Ruto, Chief Justice David Maraga and other leaders.

It will be the first time President Kenyatta will be at an event with, hopefully, with the Deputy President at a time political temperatures within his Jubilee party have been on a constant high.

The Jubilee NEC has recommended the removal of Ruto as the deputy party leader and have blocked him from using the party offices.