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“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God,” the Book of Matthew 5:9 tells us.
Our Bible stresses the theme of peace arguably more than anything else, because it is God’s will that his children find peace with their fellow man, and not fight and wage war.
As Christians, we are exhorted to find any way we can towards peace regardless of the temptation and circumstance.
As human beings we have frequently fallen short of this because we also know that this is also one of the hardest demands made of us. We are taught that regardless of what is thrown at us, we must “turn the other cheek.”
Far too many times in our nation’s past, as a society, we have failed this central teaching and have hated others or even shed their blood, just on the basis of their tribal, religious or political background.
However, in the last couple of years we have started to change and progress as a nation. Barriers have been broken down and relationships, otherwise unheard of, have been formed.
Though we still have a long way to go, the impetus for this societal change has certainly been President Uhuru Kenyatta’s outstretched hand to his former nemesis Raila Odinga.
While we have long discussed the political and societal ramifications of the handshake, few, perhaps outside some pastors, have ever recognised its religious significance.
The two have made history, and this Christian act is now being acknowledged and praised beyond our borders.
This fact was confirmed when both Uhuru and Raila were invited as guests of honour to attend the prestigious United S. 68th national prayer breakfast meeting in Washington DC.
The meeting is arguably the largest event on the American Christian political calendar, where thousands of guests from the political, social, religious and business elite come together to talk and pray together.
This year’s theme is "Reconciliation, Faith and Peace Building" and the organisers sought leaders who best exemplify peace, faith, and above all, reconciliation.
It is fitting that they chose Uhuru and Raila, and it is clear from this invitation that the handshake has reverberated around the world and has certainly turned heads.
Many international decision-makers and opinion-shapers know Kenya’s politics to be rough, tribal and often violent, so the story of the handshake is changing perceptions.
It has become a compelling narrative of reaching across aisles, ethnic lines and adversaries to find common ground for the betterment of all people.
That it is recognised by extremely committed Christians is a testament to how they see the handshake as divinely inspired.
It is vital for our nation that the handshake becomes the new symbol of Kenya to the outside world because it is creating a wave of engagement politically, diplomatically and economically.
It is certainly no coincidence that Uhuru is invited once again to Washington DC, the second time in just over a year, and will sign more agreements with the US, including a trading arrangement that guarantees for the country's products access to the American market after the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) reaches its conclusion in 2025.
Under the aforementioned AGOA, duty free quota free access is provided for Kenya to the US market. This makes the US Kenya's third largest export destination.
During his time in America, Uhuru will also meet with many trade officials and private investors and businessmen to convince them to bring their businesses and investments to Kenya. This can bring more cash to our country and its citizens.
Little of this would have been possible without the handshake.
The handshake has changed so much inside our nation, especially the way we perceive the other, and now its ripples are being forcefully felt around the world.
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