Thousands of faithful have trooped to Kisumu City for the ‘Mega Prayer Meeting’ by Prophet Dr David Owuor.
The faithful from as far as Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, the Rift Valley, Nairobi, Western Kenya and other parts of the country thronged Kisumu Kibos Grounds from Friday evening to attend the three-day prayer rally.
Security remained tight in Kisumu and its environs with more than 1,200 police officers deployed.
County Commissioner John Elungata said all police officers on leave been called back on duty to provide security to locals and visitors. Speaking to the press at his office yesterday, Elungata said police will not tolerate any act of lawlessness.
"The public should know that security is a collective responsibility. We are calling upon all citizens to be their brothers’ keepers,” he said.
Elungata, who chairs the county security meetings, asked residents to cooperate with police to flush out criminal activities.
Overseer Kings Outreach Churches in Kisumu Pastor Hellen Ochieng said they are expecting between five to six million people to attend the prayer. She said the meeting will be broadcast live and urged those who are sick to listen to radio stations instead of attending the venue.
“We are urging the very sick people to stay at home at listen to the Gospel of God through radio stations,” Ochieng said.
Speaking to the press yesterday in Kisumu town, she said the preparation is done. Pastor Ochieng said a special gate for the sick people has been setup to avoid stampede. Ochieng added that on January 2, there will be also Second Inter-denomination Conference at Kenyatta Sports Ground where church leaders will attend.
Public service transport operators reported good business as the faithful troops in Kisumu for the meeting. Most of the hotels including four-stars have been fully booked until January 4. Traders in the hospitality sector especially food vendors and those who offer accommodation services are also recording booming business.
Last year more than 10,000 people, including those from Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Europe, attended Owuor’s gathering in Kisumu.
The worshippers braved the cold and rainy weather conditions to camp at the crusade grounds singing praise and worship hymns and gospel songs.