Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi will on Monday lead approximately 5,000 members of the Friends Church, popularly known as the Quaker Church, in a historic meeting with President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi.
The gathering is set to celebrate the profound impact the religious organisation has had on Kenya's social, educational, and national development since its arrival in the country more than a century ago.
Mudavadi, who is a lifelong member of the Friends Church, has been instrumental in strengthening unity within the Quaker community. His efforts have been widely acknowledged for promoting dialogue and cohesion within one of Kenya's largest Protestant denominations.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary's leadership during these yearly consultative meetings has played a key role in ensuring the church remains a united voice on national matters affecting the country.
Kenya holds a unique and significant position within the global Quaker movement. The country is home to the world's largest Quaker population, with an estimated 150,000 faithful members.
The vast majority of these believers are concentrated in Western Kenya, where the church's influence on community life remains particularly strong. This substantial presence has made Kenya a vital centre for Quaker faith and practice globally.
The historical roots of the Friends Church in Kenya run deep and transformative. The denomination established its first mission station in Kenya way back in 1902 at Kaimosi in Vihiga County.
What started as a missionary outpost soon became the foundation for extensive work in education, healthcare, and community development across the entire region. Over the past 120 years, the church has continuously shaped the social fabric of Western Kenya through these key initiatives.
The institutional legacy of the Friends Church in Kenya is remarkable and far-reaching. Over the decades, the church has either established or nurtured some of the country's most respected educational institutions.
These include Friends Kaimosi University, Friends School Kamusinga, Musingu Boys High School, Kaimosi Girls High School, Lugulu Girls High School, Malava Boys High School, Friends Vokoli Girls High School, and Kivaywa Boys High School.
Additionally, the Quaker tradition contributed to establishing the highly regarded Alliance High School and Alliance Girls High School, institutions that continue to shape young minds today.
The influence of the Quaker movement on Kenya's leadership has been substantial and enduring. The Friends Church tradition has produced many prominent Kenyan leaders who have shaped the nation's trajectory.
These include Prof. Miriam Were in higher education, former Principal Secretary Beatrice Muganda Inyangala, former UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi, the late Prof. Norah Olembo, the late Dr. Benaya Majisu, and former Cabinet ministers Elijah Mwangale, Joshua Angatia, and Moses Mudavadi, along with current Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi himself.
The Friends Church has also been a pioneer in progressive religious practice and social justice. It was among the very first Christian denominations worldwide to allow women to preach, hold leadership positions, and participate fully in economic life.
This commitment to equality and inclusion has been a hallmark of the organisation's approach to faith and community engagement.
On the international stage, the Religious Society of Friends commands significant influence and respect. The organisation holds General Consultative Status at the United Nations through the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC).
Through the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO), which operates from Geneva and New York, the church actively promotes crucial global values including dialogue, peace, disarmament, human rights, refugee protection, criminal justice reform, and climate sustainability.
Monday's State House meeting is expected to be a powerful affirmation of the partnership between faith-based organisations and the government. The engagement will highlight the Friends Church's invaluable contributions to Kenya's nation-building efforts, educational advancement, peace promotion, and social justice initiatives.
It will also reaffirm the government's commitment to working alongside religious organisations in advancing Kenya's broader development agenda and national priorities.
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