Uhuru Kenyatta Drives Himself To Karen To Join Azimio Leaders For Prayers

• Former president Uhuru Kenyatta was among the attendees of a prayer service called by Azimio La Umoja
• The event was organised to honour those who were allegedly injured or killed by riot police during the anti-government protests
• Uhuru drove himself to the venue in Karen and was received by Azimio leaders led by Raila Odinga

Karen, Nairobi - Retired president Uhuru Kenyatta is in Karen to grace the interdenominational prayer service organised by the opposition in honour of those injured and felled by the police during the anti-government protests.

Uhuru, aboard a Mercedes G-Classic, made it to the venue at the Wiper Party Command Centre on the morning of Friday, July 28.

Uhuru's surprise appearance at Azimio event

He was behind the wheel, albeit with his aides in tow.

To receive the former president were ODM leader Raila Odinga and his Wiper Party Kalonzo Musyoka and other Azimio-leaning leaders.

The Raila-led side had invited Kenyans to the event at De Paul Grounds in Karen.

The ODM leader said the mass would be used to pray for justice, healing and a conducive future for the country.

"We wish to invite all Kenyans to an Interdenominational Requiem Mass honoring the slain and injured victims of police brutality tomorrow, July 28, at De Paul Grounds in Karen, beginning 9:00am.

Together, we pray for justice, healing, and a safer, condusive future for our nation. Let us stand as one to remember and honour the fallen souls," Azimio said in the statement.

The opposition coalition said similar functions would be held at selected locations countrywide.

"Similar prayers will take place in chosen locations in counties across the country on the same day. We, therefore, appeal to Kenyans to keep the peace during these prayers," they said.

Retired Uhuru in Opposition politics

Uhuru's participation in Azimio politics, active or passive, has been the subject of discussion in the recent past.

He risked losing his hefty retirement perks if he remained the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party Council chairman.

Section 6 of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act 2003 states that a retired president shall not hold office in any political party for more than six months after he ceases to be head of state.

President William Ruto's government had formally written to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties to inquire if Uhuru was still holding the role.

Uhuru served for 10 years as Kenya's fourth president from May 2013 to August 2022.

The Act entitled him to KSh 34.7 million lump sum pension for the two terms served. Uhuru is entitled to an annual gratuity of over KSh 72 million, which could be increased to KSh 79.2 million in the fiscal year 2024.

The president would enjoy a monthly house allowance of KSh 332,063 and a transport allowance of KSh 216,563.