Chiggai urges Kenyan women to pray for Ruto, support government's development agenda

Leaders have called on women to continue praying for the country's leadership and to respond with love, forgiveness and guidance instead of condemnation, saying they play a critical role in shaping Kenya's future.

The appeal was made during the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Diocese of Butere Mothers' Union celebrations marking 150 years of women's ministry at St. Luke's Cathedral Grounds on Friday.

Speaking at the event, Women's Rights Advisor to the President, Harriet Chiggai, urged women to champion economic empowerment, describing it as a key driver of stronger families and communities.

She said the government remains committed to supporting women through empowerment programmes and appealed to them to work alongside the country's leadership to accelerate development.

Chiggai said women should continue praying for President William Ruto and other government officials, arguing that their support and guidance would strengthen the country's leadership.

"Ninasimama kwa unyenyekevu na kuwaomba kama kina mama, msimame na sisi katika serikali. Mkituona tumesimama hapa, mnaona tuko na sauti, lakini hii sauti yetu itakuwa na nguvu zaidi mkisimama na sisi," she said.

She urged women to keep the President, chiefs and county administrators in their prayers rather than condemning them whenever challenges arise.

"Yangu ni kuwaomba kwa unyenyekevu, mtushikilie katika maombi. Mshikilie rais katika maombi, na mshikilie hawa chiefs na County Commissioner's team katika maombi," she said.

Chiggai said women possess a unique ability to foster unity and healing through their natural compassion, adding that they should use that influence to help steer the country towards progress.

"Tusimame kama kina mama na upendo. Nyinyi kina mama ndio mtaweza kubadili nchi yetu, kwa sababu mna upendo na upendo wenu ni natural. Hamlazimishwi; mkishapenda, mmependa," she said.

She further challenged women to organise themselves and develop strategies that would uplift communities while reminding them of their significant influence in the country's democratic process.

"Nyinyi kina mama ndio mnadekeza kupiga kura. Sasa kama mlipiga magoti mkatuombea, saa hizi mnataka kutukemea? Rudini tupige magoti tena, tumwulize Mwenyezi Mungu kama tulikosa atusamehe na atuonyeshe ni wapi ambapo tunaweza Kwenda," added Chiggai.

Her remarks come amid continued calls by political and religious leaders for national unity, dialogue and collective responsibility in addressing the country's social and economic challenges.