CURRENT NEWS

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Eliud W. Wabukala was elected the 5^th Primate and Archbishop of Kenya in a very peaceful, joyous and orderly election process by a 158 member Electoral College of the Anglican Church of Kenya that was gathered at the All Saints Cathedral on 24^th April, 2009.  Among him were other three contesting bishops namely:- Rt. Rev. Stephen Kewasis, Rt. Rev. Samson Mwaluda and Rt. Rev. Joseph Wasonga.

Bishop Eliud 58 is married to Karen and blessed with five adult children between thirty and twenty one years old.

Archbishop-Elect Eliud Wabukala will succeed the Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin Nzimbi who retires on 30^th June, 2009.  Bishop Wabukala was consecrated and enthroned the first Bishop of Bungoma Diocese on 13^th October, 1996 where he has served for the last thirteen years.

Bishop Wabukala will be enthroned the Fifth Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya on Sunday 5^th July, 2009 at the All Saints Cathedral, Nairobi at
10.00 a.m.

The Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), Benjamin Nzimbi, 27 Bishops, 28 Chancellors, clergy and lay representatives of the proposed ACK Archdioceses, and 9 members of Provincial staff met at the ACK Imani Conference Center in Nakuru from 26^th to 28^th February 2009.

As the team spent time together, listening to God and one another, they revised the structures of ACK to address contemporary issues, and to enhance the Gospel mission.

On completion the team also wrote a pastoral letter addressing the vices in the nation, as well as giving a message of hope to Kenya. Pastoral letter

The Mothers Union worldwide president Rosemary Kempsell (in red blazer) was in Kenya for a 10- day mission visit.

Joined with Mrs.Thandi, the MU trustee from South Africa, they jetted in the country on Sunday 11th January 2009. In a courtesy call at Archbishop's Nzimbi board room, she encouraged the church to focus on rebuilding national cohesion in Kenya. "Mothers are very pivotal in transformation, when you train a mother, you equip the community," said Arch. Nzimbi echoing the need for training in reconciliation. 

Together with the provincial Mothers' union coordinator Mrs. Salome Leipa, they  toured different  projects in the country. The visit revitalized the work of Mothers Union in Kenya.

On Friday, January 9^th 2009 President Kibaki declared the current drought and famine a national emergency. On average one in every three Kenyans are in danger of starvation. According to a study by the Kenya Food Security Steering Group (KFSSG).

Ten million Kenyans are facing food shortage, this includes, an estimated 3.5 million to 4.1 million urban dwellers who are highly food insecure and unlikely to meet their basic food needs on a day to day basis and 1.5 million children under the GOK /WFP school feeding programme.

 The Disaster Management desk has engaged in various initiatives to raise appeals to friends, partners, donors and other well- wishers. 

The meetings of the councils were held simultaneously in the four archdioceses namely Mombasa , Mt. Kenya, Maseno and Nakuru.

 Mombasa Archdiocese covers the dioceses of All Saints Cathedral, Nairobi, Kitui, Machakos, Kajiado, Taita Taveta and Mombasa. The meeting of the council was held at St Stephen’s Jogoo Road, Nairobi.

 Maseno Archdiocese covers Maseno North, Maseno South, Maseno West, Katakwa, Mumias, Nambale, Butere, Bungoma, Bondo and Southern Nyanza. The council met at St Stephen’s Cathedral Kisumu.

 Mt Kenya Archdiocese covers Mt Kenya South, Mt Kenya Central, Mt Kenya West, Thika, Kirinyaga, Embu, Mbeere and Meru. The council met at St Paul’s Cathedral,Embu.

 Nakuru Archdiocese covers Nakuru, Nyahururu, Eldoret, Kitale and Kericho. The council met at the Good Shepherd Cathedral, Nakuru. 

The Rev. Moses Masamba Nthukah emerged the winner among two other candidates in the elections for the Mbeere diocese bishop. The election of the second Bishop of Mbeere took place on Saturday 6th September, 2008 and was successfully completed. 

The new bishop was consecrated and enthroned on 12th October 2008.

Rt. Rev. Moses Masamba Nthukah

 A colourful retirement service was held at ACK Muchunguri on Sunday  24^th August 2008 for thanksgiving and to mark the retirement of Bishop Gideon Gershon Ireri of Mbeere Diocese. Bishop Ireri, who  is the chairman of  Anglican Church of Kenya  Advocacy and Communications retired on September 21^st  2008.   .

Bishop Ireri is also  co-chair of Ufungamano forum with Roman Catholic Cardinal John  Njue and Hindu Council Mr Chitnis. 

The 5 hour service was attended by among others bishops Gideon Githiga[Thika],Issac Maina Ng’ang’a[Mt Kenya Central], Josephat Mule[Kitui] ,Charles Mwendwa[Meru] and representatives of Ufungamano initiative, Chemsford in U.K.

As a clergy and later bishop, Ireri has  given tremendous and invaluable service towards the spiritual, social and economic development  and transformation  of the country. 

A great thinker, courageous and fearless crusader  against practices which promote any form of injustice. He pursued justice and human rights relentlessly and had a high regard and respect for the rule of law. 

His unswerving and distinguished service to the church for almost four decades is a boon as he enters the second phase of his life. To retire is not to be tired.

The Anglican Church of  Kenya has created four Archdioceses which will be under the first Primate and Archbishop of all Kenya His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin Nzimbi.

 The four, to be known as Ecclesiastical Archdioceses are Mombasa, Mt. Kenya, Nakuru and Maseno. The Anglican church has about 4.5 million members. 

Mombasa archdiocese covers the dioceses of All Saints Cathedral, Nairobi, Kitui, Machakos, Kajiado, Taita Taveta and Mombasa. Mt.Kenya covers the dioceses of Mt. Kenya South, Mt.Kenya Central, Mt. Kenya East, Thika, Kirinyaga, Embu, Mbere and Meru. 

The Archdiocese of Nakuru covers dioceses of Nakuru, Nyahururu, Eldoret, Kitale and Kericho while Maseno archdiocese covers dioceses of Maseno North, Maseno South, Maseno West, Katakwa, Mumias, Nambale, Butere, Bungoma, Bondo and Southern Nyanza. 

The creation of the four archdioceses was approved by the Standing committee of the Provincial synod which met in July this year at the All Saints Cathedral. 

The synod recognized the status of the current Archbishop and resolved that he will now be the Primate and Archbishop of all Kenya. ACK has  consecrated two suffragan bishops for the church in United States where there are 45 congregations. 

The Primates office shall plan for formation of archdiocesan council by requesting dioceses to call special standing committees of their respective synods to appoint representatives to the council as provided in the amendments and submit the names to his office before or by end of October. 

A special provincial standing committee shall be convened later this year to appoint the Archbishops in accordance with the amended constitution as contained in the legal framework in respect to the new archdioceses presented by the church chancellor.

The  Primate and Archbishop of All  Kenya The Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin Nzimbi has been appointed the first  President of Church Army Africa.

Captain  Nzimbi was commissioned  by Bishop Charles
Odurkami of Uganda and inducted as President  by the Church Army Africa General Secretary Rev. Captain Steve Maina on Wednesday July 30th at a colorful 3 –hour ceremony held at the All Saints Cathedral, Nairobi.

The Anglican church of Kenya  Standing Comiittee of the Provincial synod meeting in Nairobi has affirmed its support for the Global Anglican Future Conference GAFCON, reiterated her stand that she is not breaking away from the Anglican communion but will not attend  the Lambeth  conference which starts this week.

 In a press statement issued at the end of the meeting  held at the All Saints Cathedral hall  from 8^th to 10^th July, the synod said it upholds the authority of the Holy Bible which does not permit same sex unions.

Anglican Church of Kenya Archbishop Dr. Benjamin Nzimbi who was the chairman of GAFCON statement committee, told 1,200 pilgrims that there was no advance text of a final statement and no prepared plans for future organization and action.

Speaking  at the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), he said the final statement is going to emerge as the work of all the participants of the conference.

Archbishop Nzimbi said that the committee was especially interested in hearing what were the fears and concerns about GAFCON, “We are looking for the weaknesses so that we deal with them at the very beginning…then we give people a chance to evaluate.”

What emerged during the conference was that there was passion for the gospel, determination to stay true to the Bible, sadness about the current state of the Anglican communion, a sense of betrayal and abandonment by the existing communion
leadership, and determination to build on the experience of GAFCON as a movement. 

There is a genuine desire to reach out to other Anglicans around the communion who shared our common faith so that we grow in our witness world of God’s transforming power,” said Dr. Nzimbi. The GAFCON Press release

The inter-religious forum has launched a task force for Kenyans to identify root causes and propose viable solutions to the national crisis facing the country following the December 27^th disputed Presidential results. 

The Kenya Thabiti Task Force will guide the participation of religious community in Kenya in the medium and long term levels of resolving the crisis through the outcome of its work.

The Rt. Rev. Robert David Markland Martin was consecrated on 6th March 2008 as a suffragan bishop of Marsabit missionary area in Kenya.

The Rt. Rev. Jackson Ole Sapit who has been the Suffragan Bishop in Nakuru Diocese (Kericho Area) since 19^th December 2004, was elected the first Diocesan Bishop of Kericho Diocese on Saturday, 19^th April 2008. The Bishop’s enthronement service took place on Thursday, 1^st May 2008 at Kericho.
 

The Church of England Bishop Dr.John Sentamu has urged the political divides of Kenya to put the interests of the people first. 

The Archbishop of York who is also a member of the House of Commons in the UK, was speaking after conducting a Sunday service at the All Saints Cathedral, Nairobi on Sunday 10th February 2008. Present was Anglican Church of Kenya Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi, ODM leader Raila Odinga and his wife Ida.

Dr. Sentamu urged the Kenyans to steadfastly hold on to the country’s democracy and peace.To complete the purpose of the trip, Bishop Sentamu visited the internally displaced at their camp in Eldoret.
Full report
 

ACK response to post- election violence in Kenya

After the post- election violence that affected various parts of the country, humanitarian aid is needed to help the internally displaced resettle and reconstruct their lives.

Thousands of families at the camps are lacking basic needs and requirements. The Anglican Church of Kenya has teamed up with other churches, local and international organizations to meet the immediate needs.
 

Interventions so far
1.Members of the ACT Kenya Forum (AKF) have met and are remaining in constant contact as they plan a response to the humanitarian needs. The ACT Kenya Forum has already mobilized the following resources:

2.         Several national forums have being set up to discuss intervention strategies, we are constantly updated on the progress.

3.         The RCCS in the affected areas – Eldoret, Mt. Kenya East, Mt. Kenya, Nakuru-  have developed their concepts and approached their regular  development partners. Eldoret has received commitment from ICCO the other RCCS are still waiting.
 

Post- election violence in Kenya

Thursday 27th December 2007 marked an important day in the Kenyan calendar as the citizens went to the polls to elect civic, parliament and presidential leaders. On Sunday 30th December 2007, following the announcement of the results of the Presidential elections the country was plunged into an unprecedented violence and lawlessness characterised by ethnic hatred, murder, arson, looting and all kinds of threats and intimidation.

 Read more                                                           The road to recovery
 

Inter-religious forum launches peace initiative

Religious organizations in Kenya have launched a peace campaign to ensure a peaceful and secure process as the December 2007 general elections approach.

The campaign whose slogan is "Chagua Amani Zuia Noma" (Choose Peace, Avoid Chaos) was launched recently by President Mwai Kibaki at a colorful ceremony at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre grounds.

The Chairman of the inter-religious forum, The Most Rev. Benjamin Nzimbi had this to say during the launch the Statement

ACK consecrates two suffragan bishops

Rt. Rev. Bill Atwood

Rt. Rev. Bill Murdoch

The Anglican Church of Kenya has consecrated the Rev. Canon Dr. Bill Atwood and Rev. Bill Murdoch as Suffragan Bishops of All Saints Cathedral Diocese,  Nairobi to serve her international interest in USA where the Church has more than 30 congregations. 
 

The two Bishops will collaborate with others in the  common cause network chaired by the Rt. Rev. Duncan (Pittsburg) to provide Episcopal care and oversight strategically uniting a broad conservative coalition that share historic Anglican faith and practices.
 

The consecration of the two Bishops was presided over by the ACK Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi and attended by among others 10 Anglican Primates from around the Anglican Communion. The sermon at the All Saints Cathedral was given by the Primate of West Indies, the Most Rev. Drexel Gomez.
 

Go for HIV test now, Nzimbi

Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi has been tested for HIV, with a call to Parliamentary and Civic aspirants, top company and parastatal managers to go for it.
   

Here is his speech when he was tested at All Saints Cathedral on Sunday June 24^th 2007.

“The church has a biblical mandate to contribute to the fight against HIV & AIDS by joining other stakeholders and being in the fore front in prevention and care for its own members who have not been left behind in the escalating pandemic.

 I have taken this step to test for HIV at this VCT centre put up by All Saints Cathedral as a call to all Anglicans and Kenyans to follow suit and test.

I also urge all Bishops, church clergy and lay leaders of the church to speak more boldly and frankly about AIDS to our congregations and especially our youth. And finally, I ask all established churches to partner with all service providers in order to build the necessary synergies in the fight against HIV-AIDS.”

Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi formally met the professional people  nominated as members of the church public watch dog or as suggested the ‘Policy Reference Group’. 

He said, “We see the potential among us.  It is reflected in the diversity, knowledge, experiences and professional background of all that are gathered here.  But we also see more; we see fervent passion, reflective reason, unity of purpose and informed action”.

The Archbishop was speaking during a briefing and induction meeting for the nominated team of eminent professionals held at the garden tent of the ACK Guest House. 

He was accompanied by among others the ACK Missions Co- ordinator Canon Rosemary Mbogo, DOSS Director Eliud Njeru and Provincial Staff. 

Congratulating the team for their nomination, the Archbishop said the need to assemble them arose as the church took a critical look at events unfolding in the country in the light of the church role as “conscience of the nation”. 

“It is for this reason we are looking inwards into the Anglican family” he said in reference to the nominated professionals who are all members of the Anglican Church.  

The group is expected to make valuable contributions towards sound government policies give inputs to bills tabled for debate in parliament, policy reforms especially to make them sensitive to the poor.

Canon Mbogo said the church has a wealth of variously gifted people whose potential can be harnessed to enhance the church social transformative mandate.

 The team is made up of among other professionals, economists, lawyers, theologians, administrators, development experts and management consultants. 

One of its agenda will be to assist in organizing public lectures as suggested by the Archbishop on topical issues at the All Saints Cathedral.