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Subukia Shrine: National Prayer Day calls Kenyans to peace and reconciliation
Over the weekend, thousands of Catholic faithful from across Kenya gathered at the Subukia National Marian Shrine in the Diocese of Nakuru for the 2026 National Prayer Day, placing the country, its families, Church and leaders before God in prayer as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election.
Sr. Michelle Njeri, OSF – Vatican City
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) organised the annual national prayer day last Saturday. It was held under the theme, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Mt 5:9). The theme invited Catholics and people of goodwill to embrace their responsibility as agents of peace in their families, communities and the nation.
Praying for peace in Kenya
The prayer day, which included Eucharistic adoration and other moments of devotion, was animated by Kisumu Metropolitan, bringing together pilgrims from dioceses across Kenya.
The faithful prayed that Kenyans may continue to live together as brothers and sisters, appreciating one another despite their differences, and that God may bless the country with leaders who will serve the common good.
Welcoming the pilgrims, the host Bishop of Nakuru, Bishop Cleophas Oseso Tuka, thanked those who had travelled to Subukia and invited them to unite in prayer for the Church, families and the nation.
“As the Bishop of the Diocese of Nakuru, I welcome you all,” he said, stressing that the gathering was an opportunity for the Church in Kenya to come together in prayer and thanksgiving.
The Subukia National Marian Shrine in the Diocese of Nakuru (James Kagwima)
Be a peacemaker wherever you are
Bishop Joseph Mwongela, Chairman of the Commission for Pastoral and Lay Apostolate, also welcomed the pilgrims and acknowledged the presence of young people. “We welcome all the youth; the Church’s pastoral journey with the youth continues even after the AMECEA plenary that happened this year in Kenya,” he said. He thanked the Commission and the Kisumu Metropolitan for coordinating the national prayer day and reiterated that the gathering’s main intention was to pray for peace.
In his homily, Bishop Mark Kadima of Bungoma Diocese reflected on the first Reading from Isaiah 9:2-7, the Second Letter of St James 3:13-18 and the Gospel of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. He said the readings point Christians to a fundamental responsibility: to bring peace wherever they are.
We are here as the Church in Kenya
The Archbishop of Kisumu and KCCB Chairman, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba, recalled that the Church in Kenya had dedicated the nation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and encouraged the faithful to continue entrusting Kenya and its leaders to God’s protection and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “We are here as the Church in Kenya,” Archbishop Muhatia said.
Archbishop of Kisumu and KCCB Chairman, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba (James Kagwima)
The 2026 prayer day comes as Kenya looks towards the 2027 General Election, with the bishops encouraging the faithful to embrace peace, dialogue and national cohesion.
Kenya is greater than our differences
In a message released earlier, Archbishop Muhatia called on Kenyans to embrace peace and safeguard national unity.
“Peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is built on justice, truth, human dignity, reconciliation and common good he said. Drawing from Kenya’s National Anthem, the Archbishop noted the words “Justice be our shield and defender; may we dwell in unity, peace and liberty” are both a prayer and a responsibility.
Acknowledging the tensions and divisions affecting communities in Kenya, the Archbishop stressed that “Kenya is greater than our differences, warning that no political position is worth the destruction of human life and no election is worth the loss of our national unity.
Subukia mourn pilgrims
The National Prayer Day was unfortunately also marked by sorrow following the death of 17 pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Mombasa who were travelling to the Subukia shrine.
Archbishop Muhatia informed the faithful, “We remember and pray in this Mass for the pilgrims of St Mathias Mulumba Parish in Mikindani who died in a road accident on their way here. We offer our prayers and condolences to the Archdiocese of Mombasa and the families of the deceased pilgrims in this Mass,” he said
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