Prayer warrior: First Lady Rachel Ruto goes down on her knees to pray for rains
As many Kenyans are celebrating Valentine’s Day, First Lady Rachel Ruto is interceding for rains at the ongoing National Prayers at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Photos taken at the event that has been circulating in various social media platforms have captured the First Lady on her knees as she prayed for the prolonged drought situation in the country.
Mama Rachel’s actions appear to be symbolic of Prophet Elijah (1 Kings 18:41-19:8) who in the Bible prayed for rains after after a drought of three and a half years.
The First Lady’s actions have since attracted mixed reactions from Kenyans on Twitter (KOT). Here are some reactions:
Kenyans deserve better than this
— Benard Ochieng (@Benard71039595) February 14, 2023
It's these pious ones who robe you the most. Margaret had beyond zero, this one is busy creating content for social media as nothing is happening on the ground.
— келуап Oртiмisт (@KenyanOnlooker) February 14, 2023
Before God you're nothing, I love how she's humble
— Fedinah Akoth (@FedinahAkoth) February 14, 2023
Shwaty of prayers
— Rashid (@_rash254) February 14, 2023
Jesus Christ is King 👑 of kings!
— Ambassador of jesus Christ (@Jamesma40606730) February 14, 2023
Faith without action is dead, lets wait for the manner from heaven
— ຸDeveloper Richard (@dev_richard_) February 14, 2023
Let them pray chakula itoke heaven
— Njoroge1 (@Njooraw1) February 14, 2023
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Other leaders present at Nyayo Stadium for the National Prayers included the wife of Deputy President Dorcas Rigathi, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Attorney General Justin Muturi.
President Ruto on Sunday invited Kenyans to join in prayer by asking for God’s intervention to bring the rains and bless the country.
“All Kenyans should pray for our country so that God can bestow favor and blessings to our nation Kenya,” President Ruto said.
It has been reported that more than 5 million Kenyans have been affected by the drought. The drought has left millions malnourished especially in Turkana County.
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Currently, nine arid and semi-arid (ASAL) counties – namely Kilifi, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana, Wajir, Isiolo, Kitui and Kajiado – are in Alarm drought phase while 13 counties are in Alert drought phase.
On January 11, 2023, Nation.Africa reported that households in 15 counties that have a total population of more than 10 million remain at risk of acute hunger.
Famine Early Warning Systems Network (Fews Net) has also warned that at least six counties in Northern Kenya face an emergency food situation.
These are Turkana, Marsabit, Isiolo, Wajir, Mandera and Garissa, which have a cumulative population of 4.6 million people according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
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