Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged authorities to pay greater attention to the needs and frustrations of residents.
Speaking at the Thanksgiving service for Jackson Murugara, the newly ordained Bishop of the Archdiocese of Meru, at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Sunday, March 23, Kenyatta emphasized the importance of leadership that responds to people’s demands and challenges.
He also asked the crowd to pray for the country and its leaders, hoping that they would open their hearts and ears to truly hear the voices and concerns of those they serve.
“Tuendele kuombea nchi yetu ya Kenya; tuendele kuombea viongozi, kwa sababu lazima tuombe viongozi wetu, lakini pia tuendele kuomba ya kwamba viongozi wetu watafungua masikio na roho zao na wasikie kilio cha wananchi ambao wanawaongoza,” he said.
Kenyatta, who retired from government in 2022, focused on life after leadership, emphasizing the distinction between being in power and looking from the sidelines.
He stated that some people believe that running a country is easy, but the fourth president made it clear that it is not.
“Maisha ya mtu ambaye amestahafu ni mazuri; ukiwa umestahafu kama bado ukiwa na nguvu, huna responsibilities,” he noted.
“Unaangalia wale wengine kwa TV ukiangalia yale wanaongelea, kwa sababu wengine wanafikiria hii makazi ni rahisi kuongoza; si kazi rahisi.”
In addition to Uhuru, several officials attended the Thanksgiving Mass. Meru Governor Mutuma Methingia, former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya, former DCI boss George Kinoti, and Meru Woman Representative Florence Kajuju were among the political leaders present.
The occasion primarily served as a mass led by the newly appointed bishop to commemorate the start of his ministry and to thank God as he prepared to take over the enormous diocese.
