KENYA: Pope Francis Appoints Two Auxiliary Bishops for Kenya Nairobi Archdiocese
New auxiliary bishops, Mons. Wallace Ng’ang’a Gachihi and Mons. Simon Peter Kamomoe respectively
ARose Achiego Ande
In a significant development for the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi, Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Fr. Simon Peter Kamomoe and Rev. Fr. Wallace Ng’ang’a as Auxiliary Bishops. The official announcement was made by His Excellency Archbishop Bert Van Megen, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan, on Tuesday, February 13.
Speaking during the Eucharistic Celebration at the Holy Family Basilica, Archbishop Van Megen conveyed greetings from the Holy Father and extended congratulations to the newly appointed bishops, assuring them of prayers and support.
Before their appointments, Bishop-elect Rev. Fr. Simon Peter Kamomoe served as the Cathedral Parish Administrator, while Bishop-elect Rev. Fr. Wallace Nga’nga held the position of Pastoral Coordinator of the Archdiocese of Nairobi and served as the Parish Priest of Queens of Apostle Ruaraka Catholic Church.
Biography of Bishop-elect Rev. Fr. Simon Peter Kamomoe:
Father Peter Kamau Kamomoe, born on May 4, 1962, to the late Mr. Michael Kamomoe and Scholastica Gathoni, is the fifth child in a family of 11 siblings. His educational journey started at Muthiga Primary School, followed by Ituru High School for O levels. In 1984, he commenced his spiritual journey at Queen of Apostles Junior Seminary.
Fr. Kamomoe’s spiritual formation continued at St. Mary’s Seminary in Molo for his Spiritual year in 1986, followed by philosophical studies at St. Augustine Seminary Mabanga from 1987 to 1988, and theological studies at Mathias Mulumba Tindinyo from 1989 to 1992.
Ordained as a deacon in 1992 at St. Mattia Mulumba Tindinyo, he received his priestly ordination by Servant of God Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga on June 18, 1994. Fr. Kamomoe served in various parishes, assuming roles such as assistant Father at Queen of Apostles Seminary and Parish in 1994, and later, Fr. In charge of Our Lady of Fatma Kiriko Parish (1998-1999) and Kiambu Parish (1999).
In 2008, he took on the responsibility of Administrator at the Holy Family Minor Basilica, a position he currently holds. Committed to education and personal growth, Fr. Kamomoe earned a Bachelor of Counselling Psychology (2005-2008), a master’s in psychology (2013-2015) from Tangaza University College, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (2016-2021) from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
His dedication to family values is evident in his authored works, including “Marriage through a Priestly Eye,” “Mothers-in-law and Daughters-in-law,” and “Root Causes and Solutions to Conflict.”
Biography of Bishop-elect Rev. Fr. Wallace Ng’ang’a Gichihi:
Fr. Wallace Ng’ang’a Gichihi was born on 26th March 1973 to his parents, Mr. Peter Gachihi Waitiki and Mrs. Lucy Njeri. He is the firstborn in a family of seven.
Fr. Ng’ang’a was ordained on 21st May 2005, and his home parish is Christ the King Karinga parish.
He began his spiritual journey at St. Mary’s Molo Seminary in 1996 for his Spiritual Year. Subsequently, from 1997 to 1998, he pursued his philosophical studies at St. Augustine Major Seminary Mabanga. His theological studies took place from 1999 to 2003 at St. Matia Mulumba Major Seminary. Additionally, he holds a Masters in Pastoral Theology from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (C.U.E.A).
Ordained as a deacon on 15th May 2004, Fr. Ng’ang’a received priestly ordination on 21st May 2005. He has served in various parishes, including St. John the Evangelist parish Githiga, where he initially served as a deacon, and later at Sts. Peter and Paul Kiambu. Following his priestly ordination, he was appointed as the assistant Father-in-Charge at the same parish. He also served at St. Peter the Apostle Kikuyu Parish as the Father in Charge. Subsequently, he pursued further studies at C.U.E.A while concurrently working at Regina Caeli Parish, Karen, as an assistant Parish Priest.
During his studies, Fr. Wallace was appointed as the Pastoral Coordinator of the Archdiocese of Nairobi, a position he continues to hold. He was later assigned to work at Christ the King Embakasi as a Parish Priest and currently serves as the Fr. In Charge at Queen of Apostles Parish, Ruaraka.
Notably, he holds the distinction of being the first Pastoral Coordinator in the Archdiocese of Nairobi, appointed on 11th November 2011 by the then Archbishop Emeritus of Nairobi, John Cardinal Njue.
