Politicians turn pious preachers as ‘Baba Yao’ joins choir to sing for God

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his and his wife Margaret has a word with the former Vice President Moody Awori during the National Prayer Breakfast at Safari Park in Nairobi. [PHOTO: GOVEDI ASUTSA/STANDARD].

Nairobi: Politicians set aside their name calling and confrontations and came together to pray for the nation Thursday.

In a rare display of camaraderie, the leaders who are known for tearing at each other in public forums, prayed and sung as they sought divine intervention to the problems bedevilling the country.

Some of the, perhaps more pious, politicians were accorded special roles, which appeared somewhat misplaced.

That oddity was not lost on President Kenyatta and his Deputy President William Ruto, who when they rose to speak, had to tell the "wonderful politicians" - in the President's words- to walk the talk.

Ruto left the crowd in stitches when he said he thought it was a "mistake" for Deputy Minority Leader Jakoyo Midiwo, known for his stinging criticism against the ruling Jubilee coalition, to be given a chance to read the scriptures.

"When the Chairman of the National Prayer Breakfast announced that Jakoyo Midiwo was going to read the scriptures, I thought it was a mistake. But not until the President pointed to me that Baba Yao (Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu) was actually in the choir. Then, I said, it is alright. There is a God up there who doesn't judge us through the eyes of men," said Ruto, as the crowd roared in laughter.

The Chairman of the National Prayer Breakfast is Mathioya MP Clement Wambugu.

Midiwo read John 6:1-13 recalling the miracle where Jesus fed 5,000 people.

If you check the Hansard of the National Assembly and of the Senate, or even watch video clips of political rallies, and then try to reconcile what was said at the prayer breakfast, it will be easy to understand the shock of the President and his deputy at the choice of the leaders of the prayer, and the choir members.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery, a former MP, was also not spared a presidential jibe, when the Deputy President noted that the parliamentary choir this time had harmony, and did not sing off-key like last year.

Nkaissery said, "It is a very interesting choir, we don't rehearse, but we sing very well!"

For Nkaissery, the presence of former Vice President Moody Awori, who had been rumoured to be dead on social media, was a perfect opportunity to continue with his hostile stance against the vibrant Kenyan press that keeps the Interior ministry on its toes due to the rampant insecurity.

"Yesterday I had the opportunity of meeting with the media and we were talking about responsible reporting. I am so happy this morning that they had sent Uncle Moody to the creator but Uncle Moody is here with us," said Nkaissery.

Awori, who was enjoying banter with Majority Leader Aden Duale, chortled with laughter.

The Chairman of Justice and Legal Affairs Committee Samuel Chepkonga also had a moment to preach, and later, to issue a prayer for "integrity".