Happy Mashujaa Day to all my fellow Kenyan brothers and sisters!

Portrait of a boy with the flag of Kenya painted on his face.

As we commemorate all the heroes who fought for the independence of our country, I pray that we will be counted among them today and every other day; especially now as we gear towards an electioneering year in 2022.

I perceive strenuous times ahead for our country. But I trust that God is in the midst of all the commotion not because of our deserving, or, of our goodness— but because of His faithfulness. Just as He dealt with the nation of Israel, not for the reason of their ‘faithfulness or righteousness’, I pray, that He shall deal also with our nation Kenya. Trusting in His faithfulness and mercy which endure forever.

Isaiah 48

1“Hear this, O house of Jacob, Who are called by the name of Israel, And have come forth from the wellsprings of Judah; Who swear by the name of the Lord, And make mention of the God of Israel, But not in truth or in righteousness;
2 For they call themselves after the holy city, And lean on the God of Israel; The Lord of hosts is His name:
3 “I have declared the former things from the beginning; They went forth from My mouth, and I caused them to hear it. Suddenly I did them, and they came to pass.
4 Because I knew that you were obstinate, And your neck was an iron sinew, And your brow bronze,
5 Even from the beginning I have declared it to you; Before it came to pass I proclaimed it to you, Lest you should say, ‘My idol has done them, And my carved image and my molded image Have commanded them.’
6 “You have heard; See all this. And will you not declare it? I have made you hear new things from this time, Even hidden things, and you did not know them.
7 They are created now and not from the beginning; And before this day you have not heard them, Lest you should say, ‘Of course I knew them.’
8 Surely you did not hear, Surely you did not know; Surely from long ago your ear was not opened. For I knew that you would deal very treacherously, And were called a transgressor from the womb.
9 “For My name’s sake I will defer My anger, And for My praise I will restrain it from you, So that I do not cut you off.
10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
11 For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it; For how should My name be profaned? And I will not give My glory to another.
12 “Listen to Me, O Jacob, And Israel, My called: I am He, I am the First, I am also the Last.
13 Indeed My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, And My right hand has stretched out the heavens; When I call to them, They stand up together.
14 “All of you, assemble yourselves, and hear! Who among them has declared these things? The Lord loves him; He shall do His pleasure on Babylon, And His arm shall be against the Chaldeans.
15 I, even I, have spoken; Yes, I have called him, I have brought him, and his way will prosper.
16 “Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; From the time that it was, I was there. And now the Lord God and His Spirit Have sent Me.”
17 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go.
18 Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
19 Your descendants also would have been like the sand, And the offspring of your body like the grains of sand; His name would not have been cut off Nor destroyed from before Me.”
20 Go forth from Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans! With a voice of singing, Declare, proclaim this, Utter it to the end of the earth; Say, “The Lord has redeemed His servant Jacob!”
21 And they did not thirst When He led them through the deserts; He caused the waters to flow from the rock for them; He also split the rock, and the waters gushed out.
22 “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”

It is sad to say, as a nation, we have become hypocrites. We have turned away from God’s commandments and as a result, we are reaping the fruits of our own foolishness. Day by day, we are witnessing the headlines on television in bewilderment and wonder as we see the true state of men’s hearts, that is,— driven by selfish ambitious desires.

I never understand where tensions usually arise from when elections are just around the corner. I never understand how we are able to live peaceably with one another for four years, then bear suspicion towards each other during the year of campaigns and elections. I never, never, absolutely do not understand why we allow the media, the politicians to incite us to hatred and violence towards each other.

I admire how we come together as a nation when disaster strikes an individual, a region, or even the whole country. How we go out on a limb for each other, supporting each other during times of adversity. However, when it comes to this time of elections, it is as though we are a different Kenya.

Would to God, we would see how blessed and loved of God we are; appreciating and guarding the freedom we enjoy in this country, not only for ourselves, but for generations to come.

When we observe what all our surrounding nations have to endure: civil conflicts, terrorist unrest, unstable governments, hyper-inflation, tyranny, and many other issues that affect their economies, we should thank God all the more for our country; for He providentially keeps us in His peace.

God has truly blessed this land Kenya. He has endowed us with innumerable natural resources, given us brilliant thinkers, allowed us to have access to quality education, granted us peace within our borders and blessed us with a sound government structure.

Many times, I think of our national anthem, and I reckon, “could it be that the prayer made on this anthem, is what keeps God’s mercy towards us unfailing? Could it be?”

As we celebrate mashujaa day today, I pray for our nation. May God help us, to look back to where we have come from, that we avoid repeating the same mistakes that have left us wounded in the past and thrust our progress as a nation into economic recessions.

I pray that He raises up a Kenyan people that are sober-minded and will refuse incitement from politicians. I pray that God will have mercy upon our nation, forgive us our sins, and teach us to look to Him for our leadership. I pray that He will continue healing this nation, by raising up a generation that is bold and true to His word. I pray that you and I are among this chosen generation.

I love my country Kenya, I enjoy the freedom of walking down the streets of up-town Nairobi in the cool of many evenings. I love our national parks, I love the climate and the nature, I love the food, I love the people, and the creativity of our people. I love my country. And I pray that God keeps us in His perfect peace that we may enjoy many more peaceful years on this land.

May God’s face shine upon this country. May this coming elections not divide us, but remind us that this country is more than political parties or even our tribal diversities. I pray that this upcoming election will help us to celebrate each other, accommodate each other’s different political views and love one another regardless of the ballot.

Lord, I pray for my nation, remember us and help us early. I love this land that You before ordained that I should be born in.

Grant us peace and give us wisdom to do the things that please You and not man. I pray for leaders who reverence You, who fear Your Holy name and obey Your commandments. Lord, You are able to give us good and wise leaders, I pray this prayer in faith because I know You are able.

Help us Lord.

O God of all creation
Bless this our land and nation
Justice be our shield and defender
May we dwell in unity, peace and liberty
Plenty be found within our borders

Let one and all arise
With hearts both strong and true
Service be our earnest endeavor
And our homeland of Kenya Heritage of splendor
Firm may we stand to defend.

Let all with one accord
In common bond united
Build this our nation together
And the glory of Kenya
The fruit of our labor
Fill every heart with thanksgiving.

(Kenyan National Anthem)

 

Happy Heroes Day!

♣

Featured Image Credit: Kenyan Cultures