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President William Ruto faced a tense reception yesterday at Nairobi’s iconic Uhuru Park during the grand finale of the five-day Rhema Festival. The atmosphere grew charged as the First Family arrived at the venue, accompanied by First Lady Rachel Ruto.
President Ruto thought things will be normal as usual but as he and his family arrived, worshipers decided to do the unthinkable.
Pockets of the massive crowd disrupted the religious gathering, bursting into loud, political chants of “Wantam” (One Term) and “Ruto Must Go”. The unexpected hostility briefly shadowed the spiritual event, highlighting persistent political undercurrents even within non-denominational faith assemblies.
Despite the early friction, the event’s protocol moved forward as clergy members and organizers worked to steer the congregation’s focus back to worship and prayer. Following the choir’s performances and sermons from visiting international ministers, President Ruto took to the podium to address the thousands of gathered worshippers.
In his address, the President maintained a calm demeanor, acknowledging the religious significance of the gathering and calling for national unity and spiritual endurance. Addressing the crowd, he emphasized the role of faith in overcoming national challenges, steering clear of direct political confrontations.
His speech focused primarily on economic recovery, social development, and the importance of prayer in guiding leadership. While the political chants subsided during his formal remarks, the friction early in the program underscored the volatile political mood lingering among segments of the populace.
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