Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi speaking on during the opening of the 21st Annual Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) Plenary Assembly at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa on July 20, 2026/ SCREENGRAB
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called on bishops and other religious leaders to help bring Kenya’s political rivals to the negotiating table.
Mudavadi said dialogue remains the most effective way of ending violence and preserving peace.
Speaking on Monday during the opening of the 21st Annual Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) Plenary Assembly at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Mudavadi urged the clergy to use their moral authority to promote reconciliation and national unity.
He said religious leaders have a critical role in helping conflicting political sides find common ground before disagreements escalate into violence.
“Talk to the warring parties. Get them to sit under one roof, on the same table. We rely on you. We depend on you. We cannot operate without you. We just have to work together,” Mudavadi said.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary said peace remains one of the country’s most valuable assets, arguing that no amount of investment in infrastructure can compensate for instability.
He challenged delegates to reflect on what he termed the economic value of peace.
“I have been asking lately, what is the economic value of peace? I am not asking about the economic value of an airport, a port or a new railway line. I am asking, what is the economic value of peace? How do you quantify peace?” he posed.
Mudavadi said recent conflicts in different parts of the world demonstrate how insecurity can quickly render major investments unusable.
“We have seen with the crisis in the Middle East and in Europe that even the most beautiful airports have become unusable. The most elaborate infrastructure cannot be utilised because one critical ingredient is missing, peace,” he said.
He cited Kenya’s 2007-08 post-election violence as one of the country’s darkest moments, recalling that about 1,400 people lost their lives before a negotiated settlement restored stability.
Mudavadi noted that the mediation process led by the late former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan paved the way for constitutional reforms that culminated in the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.
Addressing young people attending the conference, Mudavadi encouraged them to remain focused, patient and disciplined as they pursue leadership opportunities.
Drawing from his own experience, he said he became a Member of Parliament and a Cabinet minister at the age of 28 before later serving as Finance minister at 33.
“So you can do it. It is not impossible. Remain focused, remain respectful and consult widely,” he said.
He added that patience remains one of the greatest virtues for young leaders, despite being a message many do not like to hear.
“Just be a little patient. That simple phrase will make a big difference in your lives and in your future,” he said.
Mudavadi also urged young people to embrace artificial intelligence and digital technology responsibly, warning that inappropriate social media activity could negatively affect opportunities for scholarships, visas and employment.
He said Kenya would continue working closely with the Catholic Church in advancing peace, social justice and diplomacy, describing religious organisations as key partners in implementing the country’s foreign policy.
