KENYA: Change of Leadership in Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

Members of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) after their Plenary Assembly that was held from 25 to 28 May, have elected new office bearers for various Commissions at the National offices, representatives of Inter- territorial ecclesiastical bodies and members of the council for economic affairs to lead the conference in fulfilling its mandate.

In a statement dated Thursday, May 27, and signed by the outgoing Chairman Archbishop Philip Arnold Anyolo of Kisumu Archdiocese and the General Secretary Very Rev. Ferdinand Lugonzo, the Conference has appointed Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde of Mombasa Archdiocese as new Chairman, deputized by Bishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba of Nakuru Diocese who will be the Principal Administrator for the Secretariat and retains the position as the Chairman of Seminary Episcopal Commission (SEC)

According to the statement, the election of new office bearers is “in accordance with article XI of the KCCB-statutes of elections procedures.

“The new office bearers have a three-year mandate from May 2021 to May 2024 to direct the programs and activities which express the vision and mission of the Catholic Church in Kenya and the world,” reads part of the communique.

Office bearers for other Commissions and National offices elected during the three-day Plenary Assembly held at Marian National Shrine in Subukia, Nakuru diocese include Chairman for Commission for Doctrine Bishop Peter Kihara who has retained the office and the Vice Chairman is Archbishop Anyolo; Bishop Anthony Ireri Mukobo has retained the chairmanship for Liturgy deputized by Archbishop Anthony Muheria who is also the Chairman for Social Communications.

Bishop Joseph Alessandro continues as Chairman for Commission for Missions assisted by Rt. Rev. Michael Odiwa who was ordained bishop in February and who will also assist on issues concerning family life in the Commission for pastoral and lay apostolate which is headed by Bishop Joseph Mwongela who was ordained last year September.

For the Commission of Ecumenism and Inter-religious Dialogue, Rt. Rev. Willybard Lagho who was ordained bishop in March takes lead deputized by Bishop Alfred Rotich; Bishop Salesius Mugambi is the chairman for the Commission for Clergy and Religious liaison ;and Bishop Paul Kariuki the Chair for Commission for Education and Religious Education; and Bishop John Oballa is the chairman for Commission for Promotion of Integral Human Development.