Over 20 class eight and form four learners who worship at the Mbaikini AIC church in Mwala Sub County were last Sunday issued with shopping hampers ahead of the re-opening of schools.
While officiating the brief ceremony, the church overseer Reverend Benjamin Musyoki said the move was to supplement what the parents could afford in the wake of harsh economic times occasioned by the |Covid 19 pandemic.
The cleric said the decision to re-open schools had caught many parents unprepared in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic ravages that had thrown the country’s economy into a spin leaving many families with no source of income.
“As a church we have realised most parents may not be in a position to cater for the shopping needs of their children as they begin reporting to school tomorrow (today) and as a result decided to do some shopping to assist them. This assistance is especially tailored for children who come from less privileged families and whose parents cannot afford even the most basic items,” he said.
The cleric also lauded President Uhuru Kenyatta for his recent announcement for the observation of a three-day prayer period that ended yesterday, saying this would help hold the nation together even in times of crisis.
He said the country is in dire need of such sessions to enable Kenyans thank God for the far He had taken the country especially in the ongoing fight against the Covid 19 pandemic.
The disease has so far claimed 766 lives in the country since it struck home in mid-March.
“We thank the President for calling the country to observe three days of prayer as one way of committing this nation in the hands of God. As a church we call for every Kenyan of goodwill to rally behind this call and pray for this nation while at the same time thanking God for what He has done for us this far,” he added.
Meanwhile Machakos ABC Archbishop Dr Timothy Ndambuki has called for leaders in the country to take lead in advocating for peaceful coexistence in the country as we near the 2022 general elections.
While presiding over a Sunday Service at the Machakos ABC church yesterday, Dr Ndambuki said leaders should be the leading lights in condemning inflammatory utterances that may sow seeds of discord among the Kenyans and lead to violence as was witnessed in 2007.
“We need to preach the message of peaceful coexistence in this country. When leaders start hurling insults that border on tribal and political animosity, we can be sure we are sowing seeds of conflicts and bloodshed as was witnessed in 2007.”
He also took a swipe at security organs for the way they handled the recent Murang’a skirmishes in which police officers lobbied teargas canisters into a church where Dr Ruto was to officiate a funds drive, saying that is unacceptable in a country that feared God.
“What happened in Murang’a should never have been allowed to take place as it also undermines the spirit of democracy. Our constitution has granted us the right of worship, association and speech which includes among other things respect for places of worship,” said Dr Ndambuki who also advised the youth against being misused by politicians to cause chaos and mayhem in exchange for money.
Last week Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua who chairs the National Security Advisory Council warned leaders against taking advantage of vulnerable youth in pursuit of political interests.
Kinyua who was reacting to the skirmishes that took place in Murang’a on October 4 said the ugly confrontations had created fear, despondency and political uncertainty.
Two people were killed, while several others sustained serious injuries and property of unknown value destroyed during the ugly incident on a day Dr Ruto was to attend a church function in the area.
By Samuel Maina
