By NATION Correspondents Posted Sunday, December 27 2009 at 22:34
Police in Embu sealed all routes to Mt Kenya where hundreds of traditional worshippers were planning to hold prayers.
Embu West DC Mohammed Maalim warned the worshippers not to try and sneak into the forest. “We have not been informed if the worshippers have permission. They should go back where they came from,” he said.
The worshippers said they planned to hold traditional prayers to cleanse the country. One of the organisers, Ms Ruth Wanjiku, said they planned to pray facing Mt Kenya, as did their forefathers, a culture captured in Jomo Kenyatta’s book, Facing Mount Kenya.
Blue ribbons
She said the many ills afflicting Kenya, called for serious prayers. “The country has suffered a lot and that is why we want to pray for a new beginning,” she said.
The worshippers, travelling in vehicles with blue ribbons to symbolise a new beginning, were screened by police at Samson Corner to ensure that they were not headed for an oathing ceremony.
A similar event was cancelled in 2007 after it was suspected that members of the outlawed Mungiki sect were taking part.
Ms Wanjiku said the worshippers would not venture into the forest, but would choose strategic places along the highway where they would pray facing the mountain.
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