Clerics will also pray for peace and unity during and after October 26 polls

From left: Bishop Winnie Owiti of Voice of Salvation and Healing Church, Bishop Ogonyo Ngede of Power of Jesus Around the World Ministries, and Elijah Otieno. Different churches will hold special prayers for Raila on Saturday. [File, Standard]

Various churches in Kisumu will on Saturday hold prayers for NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga.

The prayers, which come ahead of the repeat presidential election scheduled for October 26, will take place at the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Milimani.

According to sources privy to the arrangements, bishops from various churches will first hold prayers for Raila in the morning. A few dignitaries will attend the meeting.

The public will not attend the first prayer session but they will attend a later one at Kenyatta Stadium.

Yesterday, preparations for the function were in top gear, with the coordinating chairpersons of the meeting, Bishop Mwai Abiero of ACK and Bishop Ogonyo Ngede of Power of Jesus Around the World Ministries, busy finalising plans.

''We have moved around and made adequate arrangements to host Raila and pray for him as he prepares to go to the ballot again," said Dr Ngede.

The bishop added that the meeting will also be used to pray for peace and tranquillity in the country before, during, and after the election.

''One of our key missions is to come here and unite the people of Kenya. As a church, we strongly believe in unity in diversity,'' said Ngede.

Bishop Winnie Owiti of the Voice of Salvation said God is the one who chooses earthly leaders and thanked Raila for accepting to attend the meeting.

She spoke as it emerged that Raila will immediately after the prayers embark on a campaign tour to urge voters in the region to turn out in large numbers and elect him.

The NASA Nyanza presidential campaign secretariat team was on Wednesday morning held up in a meeting to map the strategies for Raila's visit.

The team comprises Homa Bay Woman Rep Glady's Wanga, former nominated MP Oburu Odinga, former MP Paddy Ahenda, and Bob Madanji.

Madanji told The Standard that they are set for the fresh elections and that preparations are ongoing even amid NASA demonstrations.

''The demos for no reforms, no elections will continue but won't deter us from holding or carrying on with our grassroots campaigns,'' said Madanji.