An historic constitution to unite the 23 Quaker Yearly Meetings in Kenya is in the making. More than 800 delegates from all the 23 Yearly Meetings gathered for the Friends Church [Quakers] 9th Triennial Conference [April 16-20, 2025] at Friends School Poroko, Narok, 311 km from Nairobi unanimously welcomed a draft constitution presented by the Friends Church [Quakers] Kenya (FCK) Presiding Clerk Stephen Magwilu

“Dear Friends, we need UNITY, UNITY, UNITY #BE YE TRANSFORMED. We have walked a long rough road of disunity. We collected oral & written submissions from all the 23 Yearly Meetings”, the FCK leader announced to thundering cheers while a heavy rain storm raged on outside. He repeatedly refered to the 9th Triennial Conference theme based on Romans 12:1-2. Magwilu & other FCK officials displayed a large dummy of the draft constitution..

He underscored, “We have the Societies Act which governs Churches. A Presidential Task Force developed the Religious Society Bill. This law will have very far-reaching implications on our Churches. Our new constitution prepares us to speak as one church called the Friends Church [Quakers] Kenya,”.

Constitutional Road Map

On the constitutional roadmap, he said that approval of constitution by the Registrar of Societies will be followed by promulgation & implementation. He noted that contentious issues like the Yearly Meetings boundaries will be “settled through reasoning together & policy guidelines.” The FCK Constitutional Review Commission led by Moses Ichingwa comprised of representatives from all the in Kenya. The process was backed by a legal team comprising of Retired Justice Ruth Sitati, Patrick Kisia, Ben Amuyunzu & Purity Wonyene.

Ministers Service Book

Clerk Magwilu launched a new integrated Ministers Service Book describing it as “a very important tool that will unify & standardize worship among Quakers in Kenya.”

On the ordination of Quaker Ministers, he said, “Quaker Missionaries came to Kenya & set up Mission in 1902, but did not record any pastors. We have decided to record our ministers beginning with Dr. Robert Wafula, Dr. Oliver Kisaka & some others. God gave us Rev. Dr. David Niyonzima from Burundi whose father was a recorded minister to assist us in this divine ceremony.” Magwilu has been renominated for the second 3-year term. His team includes Vice Clerk Nicholas Anyanje,Treasurer Aggrey Busiega, Recording Clerk Famines Kahunguka and Reading Clerk Rodgers Chepkirui

The event concluded with a celebratory reception, where attendees shared a cake and engaged in fellowship. It was a time for reflection, encouragement, and the forging of stronger bonds within the church community. .

The Promulgation of the FCK Constitution was not just a mere event, it marked a significant step in the Quaker church that is aimed at fostering the Quaker church unity in Kenya and thus across Africa.