Religious leaders across Embu County have organized a series of peace prayer meetings with all aspirants vying for elective posts ahead of August polls.
The inter-denominational prayers according to the organizing committee of Embu County Ecumenical Forum are meant to ensure there was a smooth and peaceful election process in the county and country at large.
The first round is set to take place on May 4 at Mbeere ACK Cathedral covering Mbeere North and South Sub-counties, and the second one on May 31 at ACK St. Paul Cathedral in Embu Town for leaders in Upper Embu, comprising Manyatta, Runyenjes and Embu West Sub-counties.
“We have sent an early invitation to all candidates seeking elective posts to come and join us in peace prayers for the sake of our county,” said the forum Chair, ACK Diocese of Mbeere Bishop Rev. Moses Masamba.
Bishop Masamba said the prayer meetings will also be used to implore aspirants to be peace ambassadors as they carry out their vote-hunt campaigns.
Speaking on Wednesday after chairing a preparation meeting at Mbeere ACK Cathedral, Bishop Masamba said all those seeking elective positions must be responsible for the sentiments they make that can make or break the county.
“We have in the past seen politicians plunge the country into violence by propagating hate and divisive politics and we as church leaders have a role to play in ensuring there was no breach of peace during this electioneering period,” the cleric said.
He said though the church does not take any political stance and encourages followers to make their own choices, they have a cardinal duty of ensuring those decisions are in accordance with the natural law.
“Another question that we must ask as a church even as we pray is in whose hands are we safe?” Bishop Masamba posed, adding that they are also part and parcel of the society and must guide the electorate on the need to settle for good leaders.
Bishop Cyrus Njiru of Revelation Church said peace was a pre-requisite for development through creation of an enabling environment for the fundamentals of society’s progress.
By Samuel Waititu
