Kenyan Pastors Vow to Hold Prayer Meeting at Nyayo Stadium Despite Government Relocating Event to Kasarani.The police and Kenyan pastors are about to get into a standoff over the relocation of the National Day of Prayer venue.
Despite the government moving it to Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, the Association of Pentecostal Evangelical Clergy of Kenya (APECK) has insisted that their National Day of Prayer scheduled for Saturday, July 16, will still take place at Nyayo National Stadium.
APECK chairman Bishop Daniel Kabono confirmed that they had sued the state and Sports Kenya for relocating the prayer meeting, which is expected to be attended by deputy president and Kenya Kwanza Alliance flagbearer William Ruto.
Kabono and the over 1,000 bishops claimed, through their lawyer Harrison Kinyanjui, that despite paying KSh 313,200,000 for the venue and informing the police of their reservation of the venue for the prayer event, the authorities reneged on the initial agreement and directed them to relocate to Kasarani.
They told the court that it was practically impossible to change the location of the meeting, which was scheduled to take place at the Nyayo National Stadium late and was expected to draw delegates from across the country.
“A national meeting of this magnitude cannot be changed less than 48 hours before the event, and the terms and conditions in the contract letter require a seven-day notice of cancellation. “Please be aware that all of our plans remain unchanged, and we will hold our prayer meeting at Nyayo National Stadium in accordance with our contract.” ” Stated the Clergy in court documents.
The clergy noted that they had already informed their followers from across the country that the event would be held at Nyayo National Stadium, and that changing plans at the last minute would be difficult.
Kinyanjui stated that Christians from 47 counties are expected to attend the session to pray for peace and tranquillity ahead of the August 9 General Election. He confirmed that on Thursday, 14th, Sports Kenya sent an email informing them that due to unavoidable circumstances, they would have to change their venue. “To the utter shock and dismay of the petitioners, the director general of the first respondent’s office, Pius Metto, gave them a cold reception, stating that the petitioners needed to re-locate their convocation to Kasarani sports Stadium,” the lawyer said.
APECK questioned the timing of the relocation notice, claiming it was done informally and without the decorum expected of state agencies.
Kinyanjui argued that Nyayo Stadium was still unreserved by another client for the date and wondered what urgent matter had prompted their relocation. APECK requested that the court issue an injunction compelling the police to provide adequate security and protection.
They have also requested an injunction to prevent the government agency from blocking the meeting.
