KENYA: Bishops Conference in Kenya Elects New Office Bearers for 2024-2027
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Members of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) have elected new leaders for various national offices after the three-year mandate of the previous reign ended.
The new office bearers are for various Commissions and National offices, representatives of KCCB to inter-territorial ecclesiastical bodies including synod, and for various boards.
In a statement shared Friday, April 19, nearly a week after their Plenary Assembly, the Conference elected Archbishop Bishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba for Kisumu Metropolitan See as the new Chairman deputized by Archbishop Anthony Muheria who will also serve as the Principal Administrator for the Secretariat.
For the various commissions, Archbishop Philip Subira Anyolo of Nairobi Archdiocese is the chairman of the Commission of Doctrine, and the Vice Chairman for the same office is Bishop Anthony Ireri Mukobo of Isiolo Diocese. Bishop James Maria Wainaina of Muranga Diocese is the new chairperson for the Commission for Liturgy, the deputy being Bishop Alfred Rotich of Kericho. Bishop Michael Otieno Odiwa of Homa Bay Diocese and Bishop John Mbinda a member of the congregation of the Holy Spirit and the Local Ordinary of Lodwar have been appointed Chairman and Vice-chairman respectively for the Commission for Missions and Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS).
Commission for Pastoral and Lay Apostolate/Family Life and Youth Chaplaincy will be headed by Bishop Joseph Maluki Mwongela of Kitui Diocese as the Chairman deputized by Bishop Wallace Ng’ang’a, Auxiliary of Nairobi. The chaplain for the uniformed and Disciplined services is Bishop George Muthaka a member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM cap). The Chairman of the Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism (CIRDE) remains Rt. Rev. Willybard Kitogho Lagho of Malindi Diocese, deputized by Bishop Joseph Ndembu Mbatia.
The Seminary Episcopal Commission will be headed by Bishop Joseph Obanyii Sagwe of Kakamega Diocese, Deputized by Bishop Peter Kihara Kariuki of Marsabit Diocese while Bishop John Oballa Owaa of Ngong Diocese and Bishop Mwongela are members of the same commission. Commission for Clergy and Religious (Liaison) will be headed by Rt. Rev. Hieronymus Emusugut Joya, a member of the Consolata Missionaries and Local Ordinary of Maralal and the Vice-chairman is Bishop Henry Juma Odonya of Kitale Diocese. Commission for Education and Religious Education is headed by Bishop Mark Kadima Wamukoya of Bungoma Diocese and the Vice-chairman is Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe the Auxiliary of Nairobi Archdiocese.
The chairman of the Commission for Social Communications and Waumini Communications is Bishop Ng’ang’a and the vice-chairman is Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde of Mombasa Archdiocese. The Secretariat for Economy will be chaired by Bishop Paul Kariuki Njiru of Wote Diocese and deputized by Bishop Muthaka. The Chairman of the Canon Law office is Bishop Oballa and the Vice-chairman is Bishop Kadima.
The Ad-hoc Commission for Aids and Relief will be headed by Bishop Cleophas Oseso Tuka of Nakuru Diocese and Bishop Odiwa as the vice while Bishop Dominic Kimengich of Eldoret Diocese, Bishop Mbatia, and Bishop Jma will be members of the same Commission. The Council for Economy is headed by Bishop Kimengich and deputized by Bishop Oseso while Bishop Owaa, Bishop Lagho, and bishop Kariuki will be members.
The Commission for Promotion of Integral Human Development (PIHD) will be headed by Bishop Oseso and deputized by Bishop Mbinda and Bishop Kamomoe while Bishop Juma is a member of the same department. The Commission has various sections and the leadership is as follows: the Catholic Justice and Peace Department is to be headed by Bishop Kamomoe and the Vice Chairman is Bishop Salesius Mugambi of Meru.
The Caritas department is to be headed by Bishop Mbinda and deputized by Bishop David Kamau Nga’nga’ the Auxiliary of Nairobi. The health department will be chaired by Bishop Oseso and deputized by Bishop Norman King’oo Wambua and the Department of Refugees, Migrants and Seafarers is to be headed by Bishop Juma and deputized by Bishop Joya.
