11:51:25 AM Monday, June 30, 2008 We have our Bishop! We Have Our Bishop!   The Long wait is over! It is now official that His Lordship Rt. Rev. Bishop Anthony Muheria is the new Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kitui.   After exactly three years and two days of waiting and praying, the new shepherd for Kitui Diocese was formally announced by His excellence most Rev. Archbishop Alain Paul Lebeaupin during a clergy meeting held at the Kitui Pastoral Centre, on Saturday June 28th, 2008.   “This is to announce to you that, the Holy Father has appointed Rt. Rev Bishop Anthony Muheria as the new Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kitui,” His excellence informed the clergy meeting.   Until his appointment, Bishop Muheria was the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Embu.   Kitui has been without its Bishop since June 25th 2005, when the then Bishop (now Archbishop), His Grace most Rev. Boniface Lele was appointed the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Mombasa, where he succeeded the then Archbishop (now Emeritus) John Njenga.   Immediately after the appointment of Archbishop Lele, Rev. Fr. Paul Healy was elected as the Diocesan Administrator, till June 2007, when His Lordship Rt. Rev. Bishop Martin Kivuva Musonde was appointed the Apostolic Administrator, A position that is being succeeded by our new Bishop, Rt. Rev Anthony Muheria.   The transfer of 45 year old Bishop Muheria as Bishop of Kitui means that Embu diocese remains without a Bishop. For the time being, Our Bishop Muheria will continue in the diocese as its Apostolic Administrator.   This Appointment also means that Kitui is out of the list of dioceses in Kenya without Bishops, being administered by Apostolic Administrators, swerving places with the Diocese of Embu. Other Dioceses are Nakuru and Murang’a.   (We will keep you updated with this story in the coming weeks)       Profile: About our New Bishop; Read More

Monday, April 21, 2008 10:35:36 AM Catholic Principals: “Ban m-Phones in Secondary schools” The Head teachers from the Catholic sponsored secondary school in the Diocese of Kitui now want the government to ban use of mobile phones in school to curb cheating in the national examinations.   At the same time, they have urged the Kenya national examination council to tighten its grip in its process of administering national exams.   During a Diocesan organized three day workshop that ended on April 18th, 2008 at Kitui Pastoral centre, the Principals adopted a resolution to make CRE a mandatory subject in all catholic sponsored schools.   Holistic formation... According to the Diocesan Education secretary Fr. Julius Muthamba, this is an effort to promote holistic formation of honest students in our schools.   “Our teachers have resolved to ensure that our young minds are well formed, and that cheating will not be accepted in our Catholic schools,” said the Diocesan education secretary.   Mrs. Catherine Mbole, the Principal, Thitani girls Secondary school, during an interview with our reporter blamed the Communication Technology for rampant cheating in the last year's Kenya Certificate for Secondary Education exams.   A number of secondary schools in the Diocese’s four districts of Kyuso, Mwingi, Kitui and Mutomo were affected by cheating during the last year’s KCSE, where several students’ results have been canceled.   Involving Priests... Addressing the principals in his sermon during the last Mass celebration at the end of the workshop, the Diocesan Vicar-General, Very Rev. Fr. Robert Mutui challenged the Principals to closely involve the local priests in the formation of students.   “Let us build the tradition of Catholic faith in our schools. When there is a faith vacuum, student become vulnerable to moody and negative behaviours,” he said, adding that one area of involving the local priests is by celebrating Holy Mass at the opening and ending of academic terms.   He advised the teachers against corruption and injustices in the institutions of learning, terming them as ‘constant challenges of our faith’.   The Vicar-General then delivered a message of support from the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese, His Lordship Rt. Rev. Martin Kivuva. (END)

Tuesday, March 18, 2008 12:45:59 PM Kyuso Parish Marks St. Patrick's Day On Saturday 15th, March, 2008, St. Patrick’s Kyuso Parish in partnership spirit with Rathger Parish, Dublin, Ireland, held celebrations to commemorate St. Patrick’s Day.   Though the St. Patrick’s Day is held on March 17th, Parishioners at Kyuso slotted the celebrations two days earlier on a weekend, in order to enable more parishioners to attend and indeed, they did attend in large numbers.   Withstanding scorching heat, young and the old, men and women, clergy and laity sang their hearts out, prayed and broke the Body of Christ, in memory of St. Patrick.   “Today we unite with our partners, Rathger Parish, and all St. Patrick’s family, including our St. Patrick’s Missionaries, and the entire church globally to thank God for the gift of faith,” said Fr. Dominic Nzoka, who delivered the sermon.   The parishioners paid tribute to St. Patrick’s Missionaries who planted the seeds of faith in this parish, just like many other parishes in Kitui diocese.   Special prayers were delivered for the partnering Rathger Parish.   Through this partnership, Kyuso parish has acquired pick for transport, a photocopier machine with several projects in pipeline.   “We thank God for the magnanimous heart of our partner-parish of Rathger, and we continue to pray for them,” prayed one of the faithful.   As a way to mark the day, the parish held ceremony for marriage renewal for married couples, as the catechumen took their first step towards their baptism day. (END)

Monday, March 10, 2008 4:10:35 PM Power sharing deal: It’s a relief, though challenges ahead Kenya breathes with sigh of relief after a successful Dr. Koffi Annan-led Mediation process to unlock political impasse, following the disputed December 27 polls between Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Party of National Unity (PNU) whose zeneth was President Emilio Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga signing a deal to create a position of Prime minister, and thus, initiating a process to share the government between the two parties.   However, the challenges before the country after signing this power sharing deal lies in the implementation of the four negotiated agenda.   The Koffi Annan Led mediation handled four major agenda as part of key to unlocking political crisis that were responsible for violent turbulence after the disputed December 27th 2007 polls.   These were; agendum one) Cessation of violence; agendum two) Humanitarian assistance to the victims; agendum three) Sharing of power – Political solution; and agendum four) institutionalizing into law/ Constitution of i) power-sharing deal; ii) Equitable distribution of resources, especially land and iii) Setting up of two commissions: (a) Truth; Justice and Reconciliation as well as (b) Ethnic Relations Commission.   United Stated of America and German have come up in open to grant financial assistance for implementation of agendum two (Humanitarian assistance).   However some areas of Rift Valley like Laikipia, where 19 lives have been confirmed lost over the last four days, and Kisii, still remain volatile and tension is yet to calm down.   In Agenda three, (Power sharing); tension is mounting internally within the political parties, as Members of Parliament in both Party of National Unity and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) scramble for available slots in the Cabinet and Deputy Prime Ministers’ offices.   ODM’s Leader Raila Odinga is expected to assume the position of Prime minister. He will be the second person to hold the position after the Late Jomo Kenyatta in 1964 in the post independent Kenya, once the parliamentary process of institutionalizing the power sharing deal into constitution kicks off this week.   Constitutional Amendment… The position of executive premier was abolished in 1964, creating all a powerful executive presidency in Kenya.   This means that the office of executive Prime minister, as outlined by the Dr. Annan’s negotiated process must first be entrenched in the constitution via parliamentary amendment, since as of current, it is non-existent.   All the first three Agenda were discussed effectively under stewardship of Dr Koffi Annan, before he flew out of the country last week, with Oluyemi Adeniji, a former Nigerian Minister, taking over his seat as the Chairman at the mediation table.   Now, the fourth agendum will need very careful implementation to stop future eruption of violence under pretext of political disagreement.   Hope for Better… There is a lot of hope in the country that this will be achieved, for the last few days (after signing the deal) Kibaki and Raila have gone a step ahead to mount a common front to help the country heal.   Yesterday (Sunday, 9th, March 2008), The president was hosted by his designate Prime Minster in the latter’s populous Langata Constituency and they both Flagged a golf tournament, where they both called for tourists to visit Kenya as the country is on fast track to healing.   For now, we need prayers and efforts of all Kenyans and international diplomacy to help Kenya regain its right place and beyond, on the world map. (END)

Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:23:12 PM 2:23:12 PM It’s First Hand Experience as Diocesan Team Visits Displaced Persons Armed with a Lorry full of food stuff and clothing material, Sr. Jacinta mbatha, the Diocesan Catholic Women Coordinator, led a Kitui Diocesan Team which visited Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Kikuyu PCEA centre in the outskirts of Nairobi on Wednesday 20th, February, 2008.   The food items worthy Kenyan Shillings 350,000.00 ($ 5072.46) that had been collected from various parishes included bales of maize flour, bags of maize, several kilograms of beans, rice and sugar and cooking fat and several bundles of clothing, were flagged off by the Kitui District Commissioner (D.C.) Mr. J.K. Chepcheng and the Diocesan Vicar-General, Very Rev Fr. Robert Mutui at Kitui Cathedral, Boma on a mission christened as “Helping pained face smile”.   “We can’t close our eyes to the regrettable suffering, which hundreds of thousands of Kenyans are now undergoing. As diocese, Provincial Administration and people of Kitui, this is why, in support of the call of our Bishop Martin Kivuva, we are making these efforts to bring a little comfort to the discomforted,” said the Vicar-General in his address to the press.   “May God bless all those who are sacrificing to help the distressed, discomforted and bereaved! My He Bless all are working towards bringing back peace! May He bless all of us with kind heart of generosity to continue helping and loving one another!” He said   And the DC Chepcheng termed the current crisis in the country as every person’s business.   “We are all suffering, economy is dwindling, transport fares have soared, prices of basic commodities is high, and I know you have relatives, friends or acquaintances who have lost jobs or are internally displaced right now,” he said.   While thanking the church for the donation, the DC urged more well wishers to come out and support the displaced persons.   On arrival at the centre in Kikuyu, the Diocesan Team was met by over 4000 pained faces   Haunted... Some individuals at the centre were still being haunted by horrid terror they had either witnessed or undergone in the areas that used to be their homes in the hands of attackers who used to be their neighbours in December.   Most of these persons had been displaced from violence hit areas of Rift valley, Nyanza and Western Provinces in January.   Some of these Kenyans at the centre could not stand the sight of fire or Police man, after seeing their property set ablaze, or their family members hacked to death by marauding attackers in full glare of some policemen who never took action to prevent the heinous crime.   The Police force in Rift Valley came under fire after some of the officers were accused of abetting violence in the region.   Other persons at the centre are yet to know the fate of their beloved family members.   The Diocesan Team and their hosts at one time had to cut short introductions to enable the officials at the camp attend an expectant mum who went into labours.

As a way of helping these traumatized, the centre, which is managed by the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi, in partnership with the Association of Sisters of Kenya and Radio Waumini, has initiated a programme of “adopt A family” whereby, in lieu of creating a camp for these displaced persons, the local families have accepted to “adopt” them.   “We suggested this approach in order to reduce stigma, trauma, and suffering associated with refugee camps,” explained Sr. Joan Kimanthi, from AOSK.   “ “Adopt A Family” is giving the IDPs human face as well as chance to re-integrate in the community,” said the nun.   The Diocesan team was informed that some local families have adopted as many IDPs as 32.   Strained Resources... This has strained local resources.   According to Mr. John Njenga, the Center’s Information Officer, it is a real challenge to cater for the 4578 persons at the centre.   “We still need well wishers to come out and support us, for we need education and health facilities here, but above all, our food supplies are drying up.”   According to the recent statistics released by the police, 1,500 persons lost their lives as a result of the violence that hit Kenya following the controversial December 27th elections. Over 350,000 more have been internally and externally displaced.   Some Internally displaced persons have sought refuge in areas perceived to be their community’s “home” raising fear that this is straining resources in these areas.   Kenyans hopes for another peaceful country were raised when President Kibaki and Opposition Leader Raila Odinga agreed to dialogue under pressure from the church, civil organization and the international community.   However, after agreeing in principle to form a coalition government, with a Prime ministerial position created to accommodate Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement, both protagonists are adopting hard-line on the role of the Prime Minister and his two deputies.   This prompted the chief Negotiator Koffi Annan to suspend the mediation process, urging the chief protagonists to "personally unlock the deadlock".   While ODM insists that PM must share executive powers with the president, who should have no powers to sack the PM, the ruling Party of National Unity’s stance is that the President remains the chief executive, and PM works under him.   This is creating anxiety as the ODM is threatening the re-start Mass Action after Wednesday February 27th 2008.   International Community, led by United States has warned of "dire consequencies" to anyone stalling the mediation process.  (END)

1:18:29 PM Monday, February 18, 2008 Five Deacons Ordained as Diocese Prays for Peace Pomp; ululations; dancing and tantalizing music greeted the day of February 16th, 2008, as the entire diocese filled Cathedral walls and beyond to witness the diaconate of five new deacons.   At the same time, the event gave the diocese an opportunity to gather and pray for peace in the country.   “We are blessed today,” said exhilarated Bishop Martin Kivuva, who led the celebrations, “five deacons at a go is a dream for every diocese, yet it is a reality here today.”   “The five, Deacon Mark Munuve Musyoka; Deacon Japheth Mwove Kimanzi; Deacon Jonathan Mbalu, Deacon Michael Mulwa Ngunia and Deacon Dominic Munene Nzambuli are now empowered to minister the sacrament of Matrimony, Baptize, evangelize among other duties that our Mother Church has defined,” said Bishop.   He said that the Five were ordained at very opportune time to assist in preaching the message of peace, which is a “requisite requirement in our country currently”.   In a passionate appeal, the Bishop urged the faithful to “rise up and journey with all directly and indirectly affected by the post election violence in the country".   “Whatever you can do, especially we, in Kitui where we have experienced God-send Peace to help some body find comfort, do it!” He said.   He recounted specific episodes that have happened in the last few days in Nakuru Eldoret, Kisumu, Kakamega, Kisii and Nairobi, lamenting that the perpetrators are majority Christians.   “Kenya is 80 percent Christian. Tell me, who are these people who have risen against others?” he asked the hushed audience.   “It is sad that it is Christians in our very parishes that are killing fellow Christians simply because they are from different tribe. Lord have Mercy on us!” Prayed the Bishop   And added: “Shida kubwa ni ugonjwa huitwao “Mimi-osis” (The main problem engulfing us is disease of self-interest).”   He cautioned young people to guard against being used by some endowed persons, to maim, kill and displace other people from their homes.   Since the post election violence erupted; over 1000 lives have been lost, with thousands of people injured, as approximately 300,000 more being internally or externally displaced.   The violence has affected our national economy, with direct impact being in the tourism, education, labour, health and transport ministries.   Aftermath... Fr. Jonathan Kathenge, a Kitui Diocesan Priest who is pursuing Masters Degree at Moi University in the violence-hit Eldoret town described the situation as “still volatile to guarantee the safety of the students in the institutions of higher in these affected areas”.   Like many other thousands of students in secondary schools, colleges and universities  in Rift valley, Nyanza and western provinces, Fr. Jonathan is still at ‘home’, waiting for announcement of the opening dates.   Also, over 500,000 jobs are said to have been lost as firms industries and institutions continue to lay off their workers.   However, after the year's first four weeks of violence, sense of peace is currently being experienced, with Kenyans placing their hopes for a break-through towards a long lasting solution in the Koffi Annan-led Mediation process to reconcile president Kibaki and Raila Odinga, the two protagonists in the Post December 27th elections turmoil.   International community has joined the church and other organizations in the country that are now calling for peaceful and long lasting solution to many underlying issues that precipitated the Post election violence.   Diocese's Humanitarian Support... Here in Kitui, through the office of Development, the Diocese is collecting food and clothes donations from the faithful in the parishes which,  in Partnership with the Red Cross Society and the AOSK (Association of Sisters of Kenya), will be distributed to needy cases in the camps housing displaced persons, especially in Nairobi   Deacons' Ministry... The ordained Deacons have two weeks to rest before taking up their new parishes of ministry.   Deacon Mark will be in Kimangau Parish; Deacon Japheth Mwove in Boma, Deacon Jonathan Mbalu in Kabati, Deacon Michael Ngunia in Nuu while Deacon Dominic Munene Nzambuli will be in Mbitini Parish after March 4th, 2008. (END)

5:08:16 PM Tuesday, February 05, 2008 : KENYANS HOPEFUL, AS KIBAKI AND RAILA TALK  Kenyans are holding breath as they await eagerly the outcome of the mediation process between the President Kibaki’s Party of National Unity (PNU) and Mr Raila Odinga’s Orange democratic Movement (ODM).   And as the Koffi Annan -led mediation process currently goes on in Nairobi, the country is calming down.   As a result, the government yesterday (February 4th, 2008) lifted the media ban on live coverage that was imposed on December 30th, 2007, following spontaneous and wide spread outbreak of violent activities that resulted from the controversial December 27th presidential poll, after the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) announced Mwai Kibaki the winner, an announcement that ODM rejected.   At the same time, transportation of goods and people to western parts of the country has resumed after calm embraced most volatile areas of Naivasha, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu and Kakamega and environs.   On a more promising note; the members of parliament from both political divide have buckled under pressure from the church, civil organizations, and international community to take a leading role in toning down tensions in the violent zones.   Last week gangs of youth in Nakuru and Naivasha, in what was seen as a revenge mission, violently rose up against certain communities whom they ‘accused’ of attacking, robbing, displacing or killing their kin in several areas in the Rift Valley.   During this time, two members of parliament, Mugabe Were of Nairobi city’s populaous Embakasy constituency, and David Kimutai of Ainamoi Constituency were slain. This has since raised tensions in some areas, despite the peace efforts being made. The most affected zone is Sotik, in Rift Valley.   The effects of violence in the last three weeks or four weeks are conspicuous.   Thousands of Kenyans still remain displaced. As the government encourages them to return to their homes or residences, fear for new wave of attacks is so high that those who can are migrating to areas viewed as their communities “home”, while those from urban areas are going back to their rural areas.   Kitui, like many other parts Central, Eastern and North eastern provinces, has remained calm through out the violence, and as a result, the 2008 academic year in primary, secondary, vocational and middle colleges has taken off.   However, education process in North Rift valley, western and Nyanza provinces has been adversely affected. Students in Kitui, and other calm areas, who study in secondary schools, colleges and universities in these provinces, are still at home. Also, students and teachers in violence-rocked areas are relocating to schools in safer areas. This is causing congestion especially in Kitui   This is raising the fear that this disruption would affect the performance during the national examinations, especially in primary, secondary and colleges scheduled to be at the end of the year.   Also with so much destruction of property, famine is looming. During the violent skirmishes, food farms were set ablaze, in the North Rift Valley, a region that the country depends on production of cereals.   Kitui is expected to experience the effects since the rains here have also failed.   Sadder news is the fact that over 500,000 jobs are said to have been lost so far, and many families are suffering as the economy continue performing poorly.   Among the worst affected sectors are Tourism, transport and manufacturing sector. In this, Kitui is not spared either, and this is threatening livelihoods of families here.   However, Annan’s mediation efforts, and commitment of president Kibaki and Mr. Raila Odinga to the process are raising expectations and hopes of many Kenyans to find a long lasting peaceful solution.   There is a general agreement across the board that the real issues that caused violence are more than the controversial December 27th polls: Land issues, unequal distribution of resources in the country, tribal animosities, as well as wide gap between the rich and the poor need to be addressed to avoid a repeat of incidents of the last four weeks, as well as heal the country.   Kenya Episcopal Conference through Justice and Peace Commission has released the 2008 Lenten campaign theme: “With a New Heart and New spirit’ (Ezekiel 36:26) to help us digest this truth.  (END)

January 14th, 2008:  Share Out That Peace, Bishop Urges Bishop Martin Kivuva led an audience, including the members of staff, at the Diocese’s St. Augustine’s secretariat, Kitui, in lighting the candle of Peace for Kenya today.    “We all have the responsibility to uphold peace in this country, by first of all viewing each other as brother and sister.   “In whatever you are doing, in whichever office you are holding, to whomever person you are talking to, give out peace. That is what our country direly needs now,” said the Bishop.   The ceremony that brought together members of staff, students, priests, sisters, brothers, among other lay people had a, young lady (representing youth), a sister (representing religious persons), a priest (for clergy) and Bishop, pray for peace in Kenya.   Then a student, a sister, an elder, and Catholic Justice and Peace Coordinator held the Peace Candle, which was lit by Bishop.   “This candle remains our greatest hope, that Holy Spirit is here with us, and thus the Peace of our Lord shall prevail.   “The displaced shall find settlement, the hungry shall eat and drink, the injured shall find solace and recovery, and the bereaved shall find comfort, and peace shall reign,” prayed the Bishop.   Action… Earlier on, the Bishop had urged the faithful in Kitui diocese to make initiatives to support the needy, especially those affected by election related violence.   He suggested an initiative for faithful to support ‘our brothers and sisters in the troubled areas’.   “May be our development office can take a step to organize us in seeing what we can do in order to bring comfort to even one person in the troubled areas,” he said.   And the Kitui Diocesan Development Coordinator Mr. Emmanuel Kisangau said that his office will facilitate collecting food stuff and clothing.   “We will start here at our secretariat, then maybe, reach out to parishes around. If we get food stuff, clothing and may be a few coins, we will make a difference to someone, as our bishop said,” said the Coordinator.   Situation… The general picture in the country indicates that most of the troubled areas are calming down.   As a result, the government has announced the opening dates for primary and Secondary schools to be between today (January 14th) and tomorrow. However the Colleges and public universities’ opening dates have postponed their opening dates indefinitely.   According to the Red Cross Society, the number of dead as result of the violence that erupted after controversial December 27th (2007) elections stands at 575, with thousands more injured.Over 275,000 people have been displaced, either internally, or are seeking refuge in the neighboring Country, Uganda.   Among the worst affected areas are Eldoret in Northern Rift valley, an area that still remains tense pending three-day Mass action protests that have been called for by Mr. Raila Odinga’s ODM party, starting this Wednesday, 16th, January, 2008, which the government has banned, citing tense security situation in the country.   Others are; Kisumu and Kisii region in Nyanza Province, Kakamega in Western province, Mombasa in Coast province and slum areas of Nairobi.   (END) Violence Update 6th jan: Today is the ninth day since violence rocked several parts of Kenya, following ... (Read More)

DIACONATE: 5 Deacons in FEB. 2008 Five more deacons are to be ordained early this year, the Office of the Vocations director/ Youth ministry has announced.   According to the official announcement that was made on December 21st, 2007 by the Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr. Peter Muvea, Mark Musyoka, Michael Mulwa Ngunia and Jonathan Mbalu Malusi who are currently undertaking pastoral work in various parts of the Diocese will be ordained deacons on February 16, 2007.   Mark Musyoka, who is from Mulutu parish, Kyangeli Station, has been in the Diocesan Youth Office as the Youth Coordinator, while Michael Mulwa Ngunia who is from Ngongoni station, Nguutani Parish has been working in Kabati parish, after working in Kavisuni parish for five months, since January, 2007.Jonathan Mbalu Malusi, who is a parishioner at Mutito Parish / Station, is currently at Ikanga Parish.   The three finished their studies at the end of 2006 and were studying at Christ the King Major Seminary, Nyeri.   Also to be ordained are Japheth Mwove Kimanzi, from Muthale Parish and Dominic Nzamuli, from Mwambiu station, Nuu Parish. The two finished their Seminary Studies in May, 2007 at St. Thomas Aquinas Senior Seminary, Langata, Nairobi. Mwove is in Ikutha Parish, while Dominic is helping Fr. Dominic Nzoka in Kyuso Parish. The diaconate will be held at Boma.    While it is the Diocese that organizes for the ordination to priesthood of the Deacons, it is the responsibility of various Parishes from which the Would-be deacons come from, to organize for the diaconate.     Food Security Project at Nuu has been Launched (Read More)