Mudavadi Commends Swaminarayan Community’s Role in Kenya

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has praised the Shree Swaminarayan Community in Kenya for its long-standing spiritual, cultural and economic contribution to the country.

Speaking at the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Maninagar Shree Swaminarayan Gadi at the Parklands temple in Nairobi, Mudavadi described the community as one guided by compassion, inclusivity and discipline. He said its values align closely with Kenya’s constitutional principle of unity in diversity.

The Silver Jubilee event brought together religious leaders, devotees and members of the Hindu community to mark 25 years since the temple was established in 2000. Over that period, the temple has developed into a centre for worship, cultural preservation and humanitarian work.

Mudavadi highlighted the community’s role in Kenya’s economy, noting that businesses run by its members support livelihoods across several sectors. He described this economic contribution as significant, stressing that faith-based organisations play an important role in national development alongside their spiritual work.

He also pointed to the community’s record in philanthropy, particularly in education. Mudavadi cited support for institutions such as Gandhi Memorial College as an example of how religious organisations can complement government efforts to expand access to learning. 

In addition, he noted the community’s involvement in sports development, observing that several national cricket players have links to Swaminarayan-affiliated institutions. The Prime Cabinet Secretary received a ceremonial welcome, including a procession by the Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band. 

He was presented with flowers and a yellow Khes, and a red Chandlo mark was applied to his forehead. He also wore a white Pagh, a traditional turban symbolising respect and honour.

By sitting alongside His Holiness Jitendriyapriyadasji Swamiji Maharaj, the spiritual leader of the community, Mudavadi was formally acknowledged as a representative of the Kenyan government. He reaffirmed the constitutional right of all faiths to practise freely and extended festive greetings to Kenyans ahead of Christmas and the New Year.

The Swaminarayan Community has been present in Kenya for nearly a century, with institutions such as the East Africa Satsang Mandal established in the 1930s and 1940s, and the BAPS Mandir opened in 1999. The Parklands temple, inaugurated in December 2000 by His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree, is regarded as a notable architectural landmark.