BY MWANAHABARI REPORTER
City lawyer Ambrose Weda has made sensational claims that he has just ended a 40 days fast – only surviving on drinking water.
The lawyer said that this is not the fast time he is fasting for such prolonged periods.
“I will taste my first meal since December 31, 2021, this morning. This is my second 40-day- water-only fast. Jehovah has seen me through, it is tough but fulfilling,” he had posted on his social media platform.
Weda claimed it was through God’s grace that he managed to put into action some requirements of the scripture.
“The Lord has been good to me, and I have experienced His grace and bounty. He continues to make His graces abound to me. He has lifted me. He is my refuge. To Him be all the glory,” said Weda.
Unlike Jesus Christ of old, the Son of God who fasted for 40 days and nights in the wilderness, after being led by the Spirit, Weda fasted in the comfort of his house, probably watching TV and sipping on Keringet water – and their was no devil asking him (Weda) to turn stones into bread.
Experts have said it is possible to go for 40 days on water alone, but warned that it could lead to diseases.
Speaking to a digital news outlet, Dr Erick Njenga, a consultant diabetologist and physician at Aga Khan University Hospital said the longest one can survive without both food and water is 4 days.
He said the longest recorded evidence of one surviving without food and only consuming water is about 40 to 61 days that is the longest in record, but mostly among individuals on a hunger strike.
Contrary to Weda’s claims that surviving on water alone for such a long period can reduce the chances of contracting diabetes and cancer, Dr Njenga said extreme forms of fasting cannot reduce diabetes or cancer.
“Such starvation is harmful and can expose one to serious health risks such as muscle breakdown which can lead to kidney failure,” he said.
He said it will also reduce bone density leading to a condition called osteoporosis that will predispose to fracture with very minimal trauma.
Higher likelihood of cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure strokes and heart attacks
Dr Njenga says water is not a substitute for food and that it is impossible to leave beyond four days without water, but it helps one go longer during the fast.
Weda, however, encouraged other Christians to emulate his deed so that they can fast and pray for the country ahead of the August 9 General Election.
He also cautioned those who want to join not to rush into fasting, saying he never started with 40 days but with three days before progressing to 40 days.
“You don’t wake up and fast for 40 days without food, you will die, start with a week, 14 days, 28 days gradually to 40 as I did,” he said.
Weda said his was not for weight loss but for spiritual nourishment and encourage other Kenyans to join him in serving the Lord.
He advised those who want to lose weight to change their diet and hit the gym, maintaining his was for prayers only.
“I have never had weight issues and if I wanted to lose weight, I will watch what I eat, reduce carbohydrates and hit the gym,” he said.