Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said the Government will keep strengthening its working relationship with religious institutions, noting that faith groups remain central to nurturing values, unity, and service across the country.
He made the remarks in Kakamega during the funeral mass of Bishop Emeritus Philip Sulumeti on Friday , where he noted that cooperation between the State and the Church is not only necessary but part of the country’s guiding principles.
At the service held at the Approved School grounds, Mudavadi said the Government recognizes the important role played by faith leaders in shaping communities. He reminded the gathering that the State does not take this partnership lightly.
“I am here to re-affirm that as Government it is our intention today, tomorrow and the day after and in deed forever, to work very closely with all the religious faith for the benefit of the country and the citizens.” he said.
He noted that churches have continued to offer direction in areas that touch daily life, including education, health services, cohesion, and community empowerment. Using the Catholic Church as an example, he pointed to its huge presence across Kenya.
“Giving an example of the footprint of the Catholics… In Kenya, you (Catholic Church) command more than 7,700 educational institutions, over 500 medical and health facilities and many other ventures that you support as a church,” he said.
Mudavadi added that the country gains greatly from the Church’s support, saying it would be wrong for the Government not to work closely with such an institution. He noted that the contribution of the Catholic Church and other faith groups has been part of Cabinet discussions.
“Indeed with the encouragement of the bishops and with a lot of reflections, the Government of Kenya has, through Cabinet, formally approved that for the first time in our history, from now going forward, Kenya shall have a diplomatic mission in the Vatican,” he said.
The Prime CS spoke warmly about Bishop Sulumeti’s long years of service, describing him as a leader whose life touched many. He said the Bishop showed devotion, discipline, and courage in his work, and that his leadership shaped the Catholic Diocese of Kakamega from 1978 until 2014.
Mudavadi recounted how their friendship led to initiatives that continue to help communities. “I will quote one very significant example… there is a health facility which brought together Quakers and Catholics and it is serving the community by treating a lot of people.” he said.
He added that Bishop Sulumeti never limited service to Church boundaries. “This was courtesy of the late Bishop Emeritus… when it is matters of serving humanity, we must not have any boundaries,” he said.
Mudavadi also spoke about how the Bishop influenced national affairs, especially during the constitutional review.
“The Constitution that we have today… the Bishop, we are laying to rest today, had a tremendous role of contributing to that Constitution. He was a man of strong moral fibre and a stickler for the law. He always reminded us that we must honour the Constitution,” he said.
The Prime CS later delivered President William Ruto’s condolence message, which celebrated Bishop Sulumeti as a leader whose work uplifted many. “As the founding Bishop of the diocese of Kakamega, he built not only institutions, but hope…” read part of the President’s message.
Bishop Sulumeti was later laid to rest in the crypt at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Kakamega.
