President's conditional apology an insult to victims of State violence

President William Ruto and his Deputy Kithure Kindiki during the 22nd National Prayer Breakfast at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi. May 28, 2025. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Renowned scholar Ngugi wa Thiongo, who once said Kenya's elite is the death of hopes, dreams and beauty, gave up the ghost on Wednesday last week, the day Kenya's elite were taking us through the facade of national prayers and tendering conditional apologies: "If we wronged you, forgive us".

If I may, how national is the National Prayer Breakfast when it is clearly an exclusive, elitist teaser? What is the rationale behind holding prayers in high-end hotels instead of national stadiums where thousands would participate and feel comfortable?