FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL CENTRE CHURCH-NGONG ROAD

MEMBERS’ PETITION FOR UNCONDITIONAL RESCINDING AND WITHDRAWAL OF DIRECTIVE TO SUDDENLY AND INDEFINATELY CLOSE THE CENTRE, THE SANCTUARY AND SUSPENSION OF PHYSICAL WORSHIP SERVICES.

TO: THE PRESIDING CLERK- NAIROBI YEARLY MEETING (NYM)

THROUGH: THE PRESIDING CLERK- NGONG ROAD MONTHLY MEETING

__________________________________________________________________________

WE, concerned members of Friends International Centre Church (FIC) on Ngong Road being aggrieved and severely affected by the recent sudden and indefinite closure of the Sanctuary and suspension of all physical worship services as communicated by the Nairobi Yearly Meeting Presiding Clerk’s letter dated 21st February 2026, HEREBY PETITION for the rescinding of the said decision, directive and communication for the re-opening of the Sanctuary for continuity pf normal services as before in line with the NYM and Kenya National Constitution(s) respectively.

Friends International Centre Church Ngong Road has existed since her establishment in 1967. This is the first time in close to Sixty(60) years that the Centre which the founding Fathers selflessly fought very hard to found, establish and preserve for worship, evangelical and mission work for themselves, their children and future generations has been closed and members locked out for physical worship and open fellowship.

We are deeply concerned about the escalating business and governance issues which now risk completely crippling God’s work. Specifically, notable incidences include:

• Locking the Sanctuary and the ancillary offices only for the keys to be carried by a few individuals to their homes led by one Michael Misiko
• Locking out members/congregants without due process thus irregularly denying them access not only to the Centre but most importantly the Sanctuary.
• The members/congregants so affected are not just limited to FIC. Others are; the Unprogrammed service (Silent Meeting) and the Evangelical Friends Church Rwanda/Burundi fellowship.
• Zealously hosting non-church events, prioritize businesses such as political meetings at a token fee over worship as opposed to the core objectives of the NYM Constitution and reasons for which our founding Fathers established the Centre.
• Lack of transparency, openness and accountability in decision-making. There has been NO public participation by the members, congregants and stakeholders.
• These inconsiderate decisions have caused emotional stress to members and families especially children, teenagers and youth who can not now reconcile themselves with the reality that they can’t freely worship God in a place originally designated and established for that very purpose.

As stated above, our Church has existed for a long time during which time there has never been reported a single case of misconduct from the members, congregants and stakeholders. In fact, the centre and the sanctuary have been home to many foreigners, refugees and others organizations all of whom have found the centre hospitable, peaceful and spiritually fulfilling.

It is therefore not true that the reasons given for the indefinite closure of the centre and suspension of physical worship services should be believed at all. In any event, the letter communicating this unfortunate decision does not provide any supporting evidence or roadmap to re-opening of the Centre and the Sanctuary with timeframes to save members from the biting suffering.

Closing FIC has negatively affected so many families, mostly children, teenagers, youth and vulnerable people. These actions will definitely disrupt members spiritual growth and community. The Presiding Clerk of the NYM has himself made lengthy speeches advocating for development of Sunday School and broader need to go for mission work. As scripture says in Psalm 87:2...

“The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all dwellings of Jacob”. Our Church should be a welcoming place for all.

Lastly, two days after directing the closure of the centre and suspension of physical worship and fellowship services, the Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS) on Monday the 23rd day of February, 2026 hosted the Friends Church leadership which included the top NYM leadership and elders.

As posted on his Facebook page the PCS himself a respected faithful member of the Quaker Church in his wisdom advised that faith institutions must remain at the forefront of strengthening National Unity, ethical leadership and community transactions. He further underscored the need for faith-based Institutions to actively champion integrity, peace and social responsibility across the country.

The PCS also called for deeper collaboration between the Government and the Church to accelerate social cohesion, expand outreach programmes and reinforce values-driven leadership across the Country. Finally, the PCS noted that together, we must translate faith into action and ensure our collective efforts continue to shape a more united, accountable and progressive Kenya.

From our considered view, the advice of the PCS was timely and spot on. Our Church should be a safe haven as has been for the last more than 124 years of existence of Quaker Church in Kenya.

The purpose of this Petition is to ask the NYM leadership to unconditionally reconsider, rescind and withdraw its’ decision to close the FIC Centre and suspension of the Physical worship services and re-open the Centre for normal services to resume as we all work together to restore the purpose for our existence as a Church.

Dated at NAIROBI this 26th day of February 2026

Signed by Concerned members.

Attached list

cc:

Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC)

Friends United Meeting (FUM)

Friends Church in Kenya (FCK)

National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK)

National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC)

All Friends Yearly Meeting in Kenya

Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC).

National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR)