NAIROBI, Kenya — Today, leaders from across Kenya gather once again for the 22nd National Prayer Breakfast—an annual ritual of reflection, unity, and political subtext that has become a quiet cornerstone of the country’s civic life.
The event, which takes place this year under the theme “Rise and Rebuild,” is not just a moment for collective prayer.
It is the culmination of a journey that began nearly four decades ago in a private office in Nairobi, inspired by a 1950s tradition born in Washington, D.C.
From a Private Office to a National Platform
Though the Kenya National Prayer Breakfast (KNPB) was officially launched in 2003, its roots stretch back to 1986, when a small group led by former Cabinet Minister Isaac Omollo Okero began holding informal prayer meetings.
The movement gained momentum after Kalonzo Musyoka, then a junior minister, attended the U.S. National Prayer Breakfast in 1987.
Speaker Moses Keino followed a year later and became convinced of the potential to use prayer as a unifying force in Kenya’s divisive political climate.
Small, cross-party gatherings soon took shape—including a group known as the Boulevard Group and informal meetings at Muthaiga Country Club attended by figures such as Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Keino himself.
The 2002 general election and its peaceful transfer of power set the stage for institutionalising these efforts.
In 2003, the first official Kenya National Prayer Breakfast was held, with Musyoka chairing the organizing committee.
What began as a modest affair quickly grew into a fixture on the national calendar, drawing thousands each year.
A Tradition Anchored in Politics and Prayer
Unlike typical government events, the KNPB is organized by a volunteer committee and held under the auspices of the Speakers of the National Assembly and the Senate.
While non-partisan in spirit, the event has never been divorced from Kenya’s political undercurrents.
In 2019, for instance, the gathering spotlighted the political “Handshake” between President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga following the contested 2017 elections.
And in 2022, an election year, President Kenyatta and his estranged deputy William Ruto were notably seated apart—underscoring the deepening rift in Jubilee Party ranks.
Still, the event has often managed to bridge Kenya’s tribal and political divides.
Leaders from across the religious spectrum—including Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and other traditions—have consistently taken part, reinforcing the KNPB’s interfaith ethos.
Enduring Amid Change
Now in its 22nd year, the KNPB continues to evolve. It weathered disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic and has remained relevant through political transitions.
The 2023 edition, held under the theme “Reconciliation,” saw Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and President Ruto take the lead, even as key opposition leaders stayed away.
This year, the breakfast has been moved a day earlier—from its traditional Thursday slot to Wednesday, May 28—yet the core mission remains unchanged: to reflect, to seek divine guidance, and to foster unity in a country often fractured by partisanship and ethnic loyalties.
A Global Movement, A Kenyan Identity
While the KNPB traces its inspiration to the United States, it has grown into a uniquely Kenyan institution.
The event maintains ties with global counterparts such as the U.S. National Prayer Breakfast, the African Leadership Initiative, and the Africa Young Leaders Forum. But its impact lies in how it has adapted to Kenya’s needs.
Prominent speakers over the years have included regional leaders like Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, Zambia’s Kenneth Kaunda, and even Zimbabwean telecom magnate Strive Masiyiwa.
Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai once graced its podium, adding moral weight to its message of ethical leadership and national healing.
As Kenya’s political temperature rises and cools in cycles, the National Prayer Breakfast remains a rare moment of collective pause—where leaders, regardless of their differences, are invited to reflect on their higher responsibilities.
In a country where politics can be deeply personal and painfully polarising, that alone is no small achievement.
