A section of religious leaders has lashed out at the government over the need for transparency and democracy in the country, even as the 2025 National Prayer Breakfast got underway at the Safari Park Hotel on Wednesday.

Several church leaders outside the official gathering are calling on the government to align national leadership with transparency, democracy, and unity.

In an interview with The Standard, the church leaders, drawn from various denominations, said that the country’s spiritual and social foundations must be restored if Kenya is to truly rise from insecurity, economic hardship, and political mistrust.

Catholic Archbishop Martin Kivuva of the Mombasa Diocese said the prayers for the nation were a step in the right direction and asked both leaders and Kenyans to embrace love for the country.

“So much is happening that is burdening souls. Kenyans are concerned about tough economic times, corruption, abuse of power, abductions, and killings,” said Archbishop Kivuva.

He particularly singled out the tragic killing of Father Allios Cheruiyot in Marakwet, who was fatally shot by armed assailants on Thursday last week, days after another priest was found murdered. He condemned the act and called for investigations and restoration of security in the area and the country at large.

Retired Presbyterian Church of East Africa Minister Timothy Njoya cautioned that democracy must be upheld to promote a better society. “People’s votes are their commercial value, not their human value,” he said.

Rev Njoya called on Kenyans to make sober choices in the next general election and do away with Africanized imperialism, which he said defines the state of the nation.

And as millions of Muslims across the globe prepare to usher in the sacred first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, one of the holiest periods in the Islamic calendar, Sheikh Abdirahman Hassan of Eastleigh Mosque urged Kenyans to embrace transparency.

“Dhul Hijjah reminds us that real leadership is about putting the needs of the people above personal gain,” said Sheikh Hassan, adding: “This message applies as much in Parliament as it does in the pulpit.”

Dhul Hijjah is the twelfth and final month in the Islamic calendar. It begins Wednesday, May 28. This is one of the four sacred months during which war is forbidden. It is also the month in which the Hajj takes place, as well as Eid al-Adha.

Peterson Mungai, a Nairobi resident, told The Standard that the government needed to focus more on addressing key national issues. “I cannot commend the current administration because, as young people, we continue to face serious challenges such as unemployment. Youth issues are not being prioritized in efforts to grow the economy,” said Mungai.

On her part, Amina Abdalla, a Nairobi resident, commended President Ruto for the broad-based government joining hands with ODM leader Raila Odinga in promoting national unity.“It is a good step for the president to unite Kenyans with the opposition leader to ensure that the nation moves forward as one, regardless of political differences,” said Amina.

Mithika Mwenda, a resident of Nairobi, said that prayers without corresponding action are meaningless. “The country must reflect on the issues being prayed about instead of repeating the same process every year,” said Mithika.

He stressed that prayer should be accompanied by tangible steps toward addressing the problems facing Kenyans.