Speaking on Saturday, May 16, 2026, President Ruto reflected on the period when Kenya was facing a severe drought that left millions affected by water shortages, crop failure, and food insecurity.
During that crisis, a large national prayer event was held at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, where leaders and citizens gathered to seek divine intervention for rain.
“In 2022, I joined Kenyans at Nyayo Stadium to pray for rain. Some people mocked us, but who is God? We prayed and now we have rain,” the President said, revisiting the controversial moment.
His remarks appeared directed at critics who, at the time, questioned the decision to hold a large-scale prayer session during a national emergency.
Detractors argued that the government should have prioritised scientific and policy-driven drought mitigation measures, including water distribution, irrigation support, and emergency relief coordination.
The 2022 prayer event had triggered intense national debate. Supporters defended it as a symbolic act of unity and faith during a difficult national crisis, while critics viewed it as an inadequate response to a serious environmental and humanitarian challenge.
The discussion quickly evolved into a broader national conversation about the intersection of faith and governance, with some arguing that spiritual interventions can coexist with technical solutions, while others maintained that leadership should focus primarily on evidence-based policymaking.
President Ruto’s renewed reference to the event is likely to reignite public debate over how governments should respond to climate-related emergencies, especially in a country that continues to face periodic droughts and erratic rainfall patterns.
As Kenya continues to grapple with climate variability and food security concerns, the President’s comments are expected to attract mixed reactions from political leaders, faith groups, and policy analysts, particularly regarding the role of religion in public decision-making.
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