Dagoretti North Member of Parliament Beatrice Elachi angered a section of Kenyans online with her prayer during the 22nd National Prayer Breakfast at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi on Wednesday, May 28.
The ODM legislator was among a handful of lawmakers selected to lead prayers at the annual event attended by President William Ruto and his Deputy, Kithure Kindiki.
Elachi prayed for the country to address what she described as the influence of social media, asking for courage among legislators to stand for what is good for the country, the current generation, and the future of Kenya.
“Father, we pray that this social media that has decided to run our country – that spirit, my Father in heaven, we want to confess, as legislators, that indeed, we must sort out that sector. And father, we shall have the courage to stand and believe what is good for the country, what is good for our generation, and what is good for the future of Kenya,” Elachi prayed.
Elachi’s prayer, however, did not sit well with a section of netizens, with some accusing her of seeking to control how Kenyans use control social media platforms.
One Kenyan questioned why the MP chose to focus on social media while the country was grappling with a myriad of problems including high youth unemployment, lack of access to healthcare, a poorly implemented university funding model, delayed capitation to schools, corruption, and an unfavorable business environment.
Some social media users dismissed the prayer as hypocritical and insincere, with some suggesting that it reflected a growing disconnect between politicians and ordinary Kenyans.
A few netizens accused Elachi of using a religious platform to push a political agenda. Some felt her remarks undermined the sanctity of the National Prayer Breakfast.
Others labelled her prayer laughable and a mockery to both God and the public.
By Kenyans