Lamu, KENYA: Over 600 Christian faithful across Lamu county on Sunday congregated at the Uhuru gardens in Mpeketoni, where they held special prayers for rains as the drought continues biting in the county and across the country.
The believers from over 50 churches also prayed for peace and calm ahead of the August 8 general elections.
The faithful had turned up from Mpeketoni and environs,Hindi,Kibaoni,Mkunumbi,Witu and Lamu island.
Over five bishops including Zabedi Maina of the Full Gospel church,Damson Kamau of FPFK church,Jeremiah Kikuvi of the Redeemed Gospel church,William Mwandaza of the Kenya Mehodist church and John Mwandoe of the PCEA led the prayers.
The main message was for Kenyans to observe and maintain peace and cohesion before and after the elections.
The bishops led the faithful in a repentance session and urged all Kenyans to go back to God and repent their sins in order to save the country from the drought and other problems.
“We have all sinned; the drought being experienced isn’t normal at all and if you are a believer you understand that people need to repent.The only way for us to escape this is to ask God for forgiveness so that God can release rains and save his people. No amount of relief aid can save us,”said Bishop William Mwandaza.
They also urged Kenyans to turn to God during this electioneering period and pray for peace before,during and after elections.
“There is need for this country to never go through what happened in 2007. As Kenyans we can’t do anything for ourselves but if we commit the entire process to God then he will take the lead and do everything for us,” said Bishop Jeremiah Kikuvi.
In November last year,Muslim faithful in the county also held similar prayers at the Twaif grounds to pray for rains at the onset of the drought.
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According to records at the National Disaster Management Authority-NDMA in Lamu county,at least 70,000 residents and 300,000 livestock are facing starvation.