The pope is almost here, just a day to go. I know majority of Kenyans are pretty excited with the Pope’s first visit to Africa, and specifically Kenya.
According to a recent survey carried out by the research firm InfoTrak between 3rd October to 20th November, 65 per cent would like the head of the Catholic Church to preach the message of peaceful co-existence among communities, while 24 per cent of Catholics and non-Catholics think the Pope should address corruption.
The pope comes at a time when the Jubilee Coalition and county governments have been dogged by a myriad of corruption claims ranging from misuse of allocated funds to condoning corrupt individuals in Government.
The survey shows that 49 per cent of Kenyans want the Pope to discuss matters of peaceful co-existence when he meets religious leaders while 39 per cent want him to ask the clergy to exercise good leadership
With the frequent terror attacks in Nairobi, Mombasa and most recently Garissa University in Kenya, Kenyans expect the pope to touch on matters security and the need for the different religions to embrace one another.
“But I can confirm that security arrangements are in place, and continue to be fine-tuned regarding the visit. Considering that we expect as many as a million Kenyans to converge on Nairobi, this is a massive security operation and it is being given all the seriousness it deserves,” said Mr Esipisu.
Other issues Kenyans expect to be top of the agenda include;
• Immorality
• Social Justice
• Accountability
• Tribalism
• Human Rights
On the issue of homosexuality, Pope Francis will almost definitely encourage African governments to deal with homosexuals in more a humane manner.
In July 2013, Pope Francis showed understanding toward the LGBT community when he said: “If someone is gay and searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?”
#TellThePope Hashtag
As usual, tweeps were busy with the hashtag #TellThePope, and majority of KOT used the hashtag to point out issues ailing the country that they would like the pope to address. Some used it to make fun of Kenyan local preachers. Here are some of the tweets;
https://twitter.com/iGitz_/status/668774403128336384
#TellThePope that our Government needs a special Novena
— Lucia Musau (@LuciaMusau) November 23, 2015
#TellThePope football in this country needs prayers too
— Kenyan Football (@KenyaPremierLg) November 23, 2015
#TellThePope That that there are these Pastors who when they pray for deliverance,everybody falls down except the camera men….
— Smooth Operator 🙂 (@Btdarlines) November 23, 2015
Pope Francis’ Itinerary
The flight carrying the Catholic head touches ground at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 5pm on Wednesday.
The pontiff will then head to State House for a one on one meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta before meeting with Kenyan authorities and diplomats before retiring for the night.
On Thursday, Pope Francis will hold an interreligious and ecumenical meeting at the Nairobi Apostolic Nunciature before proceeding to University of Nairobi for a historic public mass to be televised across the world by various television stations.
Thursday at 3.45p.m, Pope Francis will meet the clergy, religious and seminarians at St Mary’s School Grounds in Nairobi before visiting the Gigiri based United Nations Environmental Program headquarters.
On Friday, the pope will head to Kangemi Slum for an early church service before he proceeds to Moi Sports Complex Kasarani for a special meeting with the youth.
He will then hold a meeting with the Bishops at the Sports Stadia’s lounge after which he will be escorted to the JKIA for his departure to Uganda.
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