Lilian Nyiva
The High Court has ruled that the annual National Prayer Breakfast held at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi is not unconstitutional or discriminatory, dismissing a petition that sought to stop the event from being organized using public resources.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, May 26, comes just days before the 2026 National Prayer Breakfast scheduled for May 28. The court found that the event venue is “reasonably accessible” and that the proceedings are also made available to the public through live broadcasts.
Petition Challenged Constitutionality of Event
The case was filed by lawyer Lempaa Suyiaka, who argued that Parliament’s involvement in organizing the National Prayer Breakfast violated the Constitution, particularly the principle of separation between religion and the State.
The petitioner also questioned the use of taxpayer money to fund the event and claimed that hosting it at Safari Park Hotel was discriminatory and inaccessible to many Kenyans.
However, the High Court ruled that the petitioner failed to properly present and prove claims that the event violated Article 8 of the Constitution, which addresses the separation of religion and State affairs.
According to the court, although both sides made submissions on the issue of establishing a State religion, the matter had not been formally included in the petition.
The judge stated that “submissions are not pleadings,” adding that the court could only determine issues that had been officially presented before it.
Court Finds No Evidence of Discrimination
On claims that the venue was discriminatory, the court said there was no sufficient evidence showing unfair exclusion.The respondents told the court that Safari Park Hotel was selected through a procurement process compliant with constitutional requirements. The court further observed that the event is broadcast publicly, making it reasonably accessible to Kenyans across the country.
The ruling effectively allows this year’s National Prayer Breakfast to proceed as planned.
Parliament Ordered to Release Spending Details
Despite dismissing most of the petition, the court found that the petitioner’s rights to access information and fair administrative action had been violated. The court noted that Parliament failed to provide requested information regarding expenditure linked to the event, despite receiving a formal request in March 2025.
As a result, the National Assembly was ordered to provide the requested financial information within 30 days in a format understandable to the public.
Annual Event Continues Amid Debate
The National Prayer Breakfast has become a major annual event in Kenya, bringing together political leaders, diplomats, clergy, and members of the business community.The event has in recent years sparked debate over the role of religion in State functions and the use of public funds for religious gatherings.
