Thank you for continuing to pray for our nation of Kenya. God is reversing what could have been a tragedy.
A lot has happened in the past week. People are mourning across the country, but hope is finally here.
This past Sunday was declared a day of prayer and fasting for our country. Church leaders from all over the country were invited for an afternoon prayer session at All Saints Cathedral. Led by the senior pastor of Nairobi Baptist Church, church leaders prayed for our nation and led us through confession and a journey toward reconciliation. Different leaders confessed on behalf of their tribes and asked for forgiveness, one tribe to another, for the sake of unity and a lasting peace in this country.
There have been a lot of underlying currents which have gone on for a long time, and politicians have used this to their advantage. The leaders named some of the ills that have been committed by one tribe against the other and vice versa. I know that not everybody had an opportunity to be part of this prayer meeting, but it is a beginning of something new in our country where leaders come together and recognize that there is a problem—whether caused by our political history or ancestral history. The problem needs to be addressed, and the church leaders have already embarked on this journey. Rev. Dr. Mutiso, who was present, reminded us that there is no separation between the spiritual and the physical; hence a lot has been happening on the spiritual realms as well.
The church has formed four committees which are currently trying to address some of these issues:
1. Political group - led by Bishop Nzimbi. They are trying to mediate between the political leaders to try and find a lasting solution with regard to the recent elections.
2. Humanitarian group - led by Dennis Tongoi. They have been charged with collecting data as well as finding out where the need is, so churches together with the humanitarian and relief organizations can reach out to those affected throughout the country.
3. Spiritual group - led by pastor Oscar Muriu and Rev. Gichinga. They are charged with visiting those who are affected by violence—counseling, praying, and providing other spiritual care. They are also in charge of organizing and overseeing national prayer meetings at this time.
4. Communications group – led by Gowi Odera a pastor at Nairobi Chapel. He makes sure that information reaches all quarters.
As a result of the prayers, God is moving the hearts of our leaders. Rallies by ODM (the opposition party) have been suspended. The Ghanaian president arrives today to start mediation talks with the president and the opposition leaders. President Kibaki now agrees to meet with the opposition this Friday.
In 1992 I was caught up in the Rift Valley tribal clashes. We moved out permanently from Rift valley. The feeling has remained with me to this day. I have a clue what those guys are going through, but there is hope for our nation. Whether there is deep-seated hatred or not behind all these conflicts, at this time we need to put out the fire and then investigate the source.
My view may be narrowed by what has been going on. I need to stand at a distance and reflect. At the moment I am still caught up in the smoke and my vision is greatly impaired.
Keep on praying.
Gideon Ochieng
serves pastors and youth leaders through CTM in Nairobi
works with young upcoming Christian artists mainly from low income areas such as Kibera, Kawangware, Mathare and Dandora
“To exist, humanly, is to name the world, to change it” - Paulo Freire
Art at the top of this post is by African artist Herve Gigot, who "imagined a dove hovering over Africa as that Spirit of understanding and peace whose gifts flow down into and among the people."
