Palm Sunday celebrations dominated by calls for peace
Palm Sunday is observed by Christians all around the world by Catholic and Protestant churches, with the exception of the Orthodox Christian community, which observes it later due to the Julian calendar.
Palm Sunday kicks off Holy Week, which has long been considered the holiest week for Christians.
Christians commemorate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem days before his crucifixion, when multitudes greeted him with palm fronds and clothes as a show of admiration and respect.
Archbishop Jackson ole Sapit of the Anglican Church of Kenya led the congregation in a Palm Sunday walk through Nairobi’s streets, focusing on government offices such as the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission, the Judiciary, the Office of the President, and the Parliament Building, claiming that the institutions will play a key role in steering the election.
“The Lord needs each of these institutions to deliver the people of Kenya,” Archbishop Sapit said.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Justin Muturi, was among those in attendance.
The ACK’s executive director advised lawmakers and Kenyans to use caution while speaking and to be aware of other people’s cultural and religious dynamics.
“Let’s not use words to insult people, words that are going to discourage someone, but uplifting words.
And let us be truthful and moderate in all we do. Let’s use this moment to demonstrate that we are Godly and fear God.”
The faithful carried and waved palm branches, especially in Catholic churches, to mark the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem ahead of his crucifixion and subsequent resurrection. Others distributed the palms to those who did not have.
