Africa-Press – Kenya. Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) leader Kalonzo Musyoka has asked the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo, to pray for Kenya’s peace as he tours Africa.
Although Pope Leo will not be visiting Kenya during his first trip to the continent, which will take him to four nations, Kalonzo has asked the Pontiff to remember the country.
While welcoming the Pope to Africa, Kalonzo said Kenya deserves prayers and blessings to enable the country to enjoy social cohesion and good leadership.
The Opposition leader said he draws deep inspiration from His Holiness’s steadfast championship of peace, the transcendent dignity of every human person, and the family as the first and most vital school of virtue and civic life.
“On behalf of the Wiper Patriotic Front, and on my own behalf, I extend to you a most cordial and reverent welcome to the African continent on your maiden apostolic journey as the 267th Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church,” the Wiper leader said in an open letter.
He added: “I humbly beseech Your Holiness to intercede in prayer on our behalf, that Kenya may be blessed with lasting peace, social harmony, and leaders who govern not for themselves, but for the common good of all our people.”
The former Vice President then said that he hoped the Pontiff would plan to visit Kenya one day, as the country and the Vatican share a cordial relationship.
“Though your present pastoral itinerary does not bring you to Kenyan soil, we acknowledge that Kenya holds a place of enduring warmth for the Holy See, and we trust in the providence of God that the day shall come when we are once again privileged to receive you as our most honoured guest.”
Kalonzo said Africa, a continent of ancient faith, extraordinary resilience, and boundless hope, receives the Pope with profound joy and deep spiritual solidarity.
“In the great tradition of the Church, we are reminded that ‘Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est’ Where charity and love are found, there is God. Your presence among us, Holy Father, is a living testament to that sacred truth.”
Pope Leo is currently on an ambitious 11-day apostolic tour across Africa (April 13–23, 2026), marking his first major international trip since his election last May. The continent accounts for 20 percent of global population of Catholics.
He has already visited Algeria and is currently in Cameroon, with upcoming stops in Angola and Equatorial Guinea.
The Pope has used this trip to call for an end to wars, notably the “simmering conflict” in Cameroon and the wider war in the Middle East.
