President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday made an impromptu visit to St Anthony Cathedral Catholic Church in Malindi for prayers, taking faithful by surprise.
The President is in the region inspecting key flagship projects including the Malindi-Salagate road, Garsen-Lamu road and the Lappset made a stopover to worship in the church.
Church members were caught unawares as the President’s convoy arrived at the church at around 9.30am.
With him were Major General Samson Mwathethe and the Coast regional security team. No politician accompanied him.
The President termed the visit a tour of development projects.
The jovial president was received by the church’s chairman Kennedy Otieno and presiding priest Father Joseph Ngalla.
Throughout the mass Kenyatta exchanged words with Otieno and other faithful, and at times could be seen laughing and enjoying every moment.
Uhuru had spent Saturday night at Statehouse, Mombasa, but decided to worship in Malindi on his way to Lamu.
“We are in Kilifi, Malindi and Lamu inspecting development projects. I thank the Father for the sermon. All of us have been told that whether big or small, we must take responsibility and help others,” he said.
President Kenyatta said the flagship projects, some of which are near completion, will create job opportunities and address insecurity in the area.
He gave the church Sh1 million for development projects and promised to return with more.
The chairman said recently they painted the church and upgraded the compound and the road and never knew they would host the President.
“Since Independence, I have never had a chance to greet the President, today was a great day though his visit was impromptu,” he said.
