Popular American televangelist Benny Hinn is set to visit the country following an invitation from First Lady Rachel Ruto.

Speaking during a church service, Hinn announced that Rachel had extended a government-sponsored trip invitation.

"Something amazing happened, the First Lady of Kenya flew from Nairobi to New York, just for one reason to ask me to come back to Nairobi for a national government-sponsored crusade," the pastor revealed.

The government will foot all the costs for the nationwide crusade whose date will be communicated later.

"We haven't had that in a long time for a First Lady of a nation to come and say we want to have a nation-sponsored crusade. The last time such happened it was in Papua," he added.      

The televangelist added that a second crusade will also be organised in Uganda but did not disclose more details on the two events.

Benny Hinn is a teacher and author. Some of his best-selling books include Good Morning, Holy Spirit, Prayer That Gets Results, Blood in the Sand, and Lamb of God.

First Lady Rachel Ruto is known for her prayerful side.

She is known to hold national prayer sessions and regularly interacts with popular members of the clergy in Kenya and abroad.

However, the news was not well-received by Kenyans who on Wednesday questioned why the First Lady had to fly all the way to the US using public funds when the matter could have been communicated via Zoom or email. 

Others complained that the country was dealing with far more pressing issues and that the funds could be channeled to more constructive uses.

"Is there a national religion that justifies Mama Rachel Ruto to announce a state-funded crusade?" one questioned.