Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has addressed the controversy surrounding his decision not to use a Bible during his oath of office, attributing it to his Quaker faith.
Speaking at a gathering of Friends Church Kenya members at State House, Nairobi, on August 3, 2026, Mudavadi explained that Quakers do not take oaths on the Bible because they believe Christians should always speak the truth, rendering additional oaths unnecessary.
"When a Quaker says ‘no,’ it is a no," Mudavadi stated, noting that his refusal to use the Bible led some to mistakenly label him an atheist. He emphasized, "I am not an atheist. That is our faith, and we are firm in it."
The Friends Church, commonly known as the Quakers, is a significant Christian denomination primarily rooted in Western Kenya, with strong followings in counties such as Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia, and Trans Nzoia. The church operates numerous educational institutions including Friends School Kamusinga, Friends School Chavakali, and Kaimosi Friends University College, which is headquartered in Vihiga County.
Beyond education, the church also runs hospitals and other community services, cementing its role as a major faith-based organization in the region. Its presence extends to Nairobi and other parts of Kenya where many Western Kenya residents live, exemplified by landmarks like Quaker Road in Donholm, Nairobi, which was renamed in 2023 through collaboration involving President William Ruto, Mudavadi, and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
The event at State House drew hundreds of Friends Church members who braved the cold morning to meet with the President and Mudavadi, highlighting the denomination’s influence and Mudavadi’s commitment to his religious principles.
