During a thanksgiving service at KICC, First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto stirred controversy with her assertion that Ugandans refrain from using fertilizers due to their country's natural fertility, attributing it to the East African revival prayers from the 1930s.

Mama Rachel claimed that Uganda's abundant rainfall and fertile land are blessings from God, resulting from the historical revival movement.

She recounted her personal observation during a visit to Uganda in 2022, where she noted the lush greenery compared to Kenya's dry conditions, prompting her to pray for rain.

The First Lady emphasized the importance of prayer and gratitude, urging attendees to follow Uganda's example and always express gratitude to God.

Rachel Ruto expressed her wish for Kenya to adopt a Thanksgiving holiday, similar to the one celebrated in the United States, as a day of prayer and thanksgiving.

While Mama Rachel's remarks resonated with some, others criticized her for oversimplifying complex agricultural practices and attributing Uganda's fertility solely to divine intervention. The comments sparked debate online, with many questioning the scientific basis of her claims and calling for a more nuanced understanding of agricultural practices and environmental factors.