The Most. Rev. Dr. Eliud Wabukala, 5^th ACK Archbishop

The Rt. Rev. Eliud Wabukala was born on the 26^th of June 1951 in Namwesi Village, Bungoma County. He went to Butonge Primary School and Kolanya High School, where he completed his studies in 1969. He worked as an untrained teacher at Butonge Secondary School so that he could raise money to support his siblings.

He joined began for the Provincial Administration in Nakuru by working as a Clerical officer then rose to a District Officer 2 in Narok County. He, in 1972, however went back to his teaching career though as an untrained Teacher in Kitale. He later joined Kaimosi Teachers where he trained as a teacher. He went to teach Naifarm Primary School, in Kitale before he went to Bungoma Afterwards where he was promoted to be an Inspector of Schools in charge of the Butonge Zone in Sirisia Division, Bungoma County.

In 1985, he joined the St. Paul’s Theological College, in Limuru for a Degree course in Divinity after taking a break from his career. He joined full time ministry as the Principal of St. Philip’s Theological College in Maseno, Vihiga County. In 1988, he became the Deacon of ACK St. Andrews Butonge and priested in 1989at St. Thomas Pro-Cathedral.

He received a Scholarship from the Anglican Church of Canada 1990 to study at the Wycliffe College at Toronto School of Theology, of the University of Toronto, in Canada. Here he got his PhD in 1994. He came back and became a lecturer of Old Testament and Ecumenism at the St. Paul’s Theological College eventually becoming the First African Academic Dean at the College.

He was elected as the 1^st Bishop of the ACK Diocese of on the 13^th of October 1996. 12 years later, he succeeded the Most. Rev Benjamin Nzimbi as the ACK on the 5^th of July 2009. He was also enthroned as the Bishop of All. Saints Cathedral Diocese on the 5^th of July 2009 upon its formation. During his tenure as the Archbishop, he served in various national and international Positions in the Global Anglican Future Conference, National Council of Churches, the National Anti-Corruption Steering Committee and other Educational and Ecumenical organizations.

He was also a vocal crusader for the conservation of The Environment encouraging Christians to plant trees so as to help recover the lost forest cover around the country. He also helped in preaching Peace and cohesion among Kenyans across the Nation. This was so during the 2007-08 Post Elections Skirmishes that happened when his was the leader of ACK. He also helped Consult and help the Church a common stand in matters of national interest like Education, Governance, and health among others. He also advocated for Community Development across the country. He retired in June 2016 after which he was appointed as the Chairperson of The ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission by President Kenyatta.

The Most Rev. Benjamin Nzimbi, 4^th ACK Archbishop

The Most Rev. Benjamin Paul Mwanzia Nzimbi was born in 1945 in Kitui County in a family of 8 children. He attended Ithookwe Primary, Mulutu Intermediary and Kitui School. He joined Kenyatta University for a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Majoring in Religion. He went on to lecture at the Machakos Training College where he also served as the Dean of Students and Head of Social Studies. While at the College, he was trained and ordained as the chaplain. He is married to Alice Kavula and the couple has five children.

He left his career in teaching for full time ministry. He enrolled at the Trinity and St. Francis College in Karen, Nairobi where he studied Priesthood. In 1985 he was elected as the Bishop of the newly formed ACK Diocese of Machakos where he served for the next 10 years before being elected again to lead the newly f ACK Diocese of Kitui. On the 16^th of August 2002, he was elected and consecrated as the 4^th Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya and Bishop of All Saints Cathedral Diocese. He served up to 2009 when he retired.

The Most. Rev. Manasses Kuria, 2^nd ACK Archbishop

The Most. Rev. Manasses Kuria was born in Kabuku, Limuru, and Kiambu County in July 1929 to a devoted Christian Family. Seventeen days later, he was baptized at the Kabete Anglican Church He attended studied at St. Paul’s School, Ngecha School and finally Kabete Mission School where he did the Kenya African Preliminary Examination in 1940. He began his teaching career at the age of 16 working at St. Peter’s Wangige School then moved to Ngecha Junior High School and eventually Rironi Orthodox School. He married Mary Kuria in 1947. He resigned from teaching to do focus on Church work. He enrolled at St. Paul’s United Theological College, Limuru in 1954 for a course in Theology. Due to the Scarcity of Church Priests, he was ordained as a Deacon in 1955 while still a student at St. Paul’s. He was then posted to Weithaga Parish for his internship. He was then posted to Kahuhia.

He would then be posted to serve as a special chaplain to Mwea rehabilitation camp for detained Mau Mau Freedom Fighters. He was given a study leave to various Asian countries so as to enable him gain an understanding of collective Christianity as it was being practiced in that part of the world. He got a licentiate in theology from Australia after a 14 month study program. Upon his return he was sent Eldoret as an Archdeacon. He was actively involved in Mission work evangelizing among communities to spread the Gospel of Christ.

He was consecrated an Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Nakuru, by Archbishop Leonard Beecher on the 25^th of April1970. In January 1976, he was enthroned Bishop of the Diocese of Nakuru by Archbishop Festo Olang’. He became consecrated as the 2^nd Archbishop of The Anglican Church of Kenya on June 29, 1980, upon the retirement of The Most. Festus Olang. He preached the Gospel while also embracing the Socio Economic empowerment aspect among the communities. He argued that it was not appropriate to preach to people who were poor without empowering them economical thus encouraging the Growth of the Spirit, Soul and Body as embodied in the Bible.

He also founded the Uzima Press, an Anglican Publisher firm for Christian Material for the Church. He also spearheaded the formation of several other departments within the Anglican Church of Kenya such as the Mothers’ and father’s Union. This was aimed at encouraging fellowship within Church Members. He also encouraged and promoted education for the Anglican Clergy. During his tenure the Number of Dioceses increased to 20.

He was a firm believer in Championing for social Justice in the country. He spoke against bad Governance and was also vocal in the Fight for Multi-Party Democracy in the Country. He retired in 1994. Upon his retirement, he founded the Jehovah Jireh Children homes and schools to take care of the Education and Spiritual Needs of Street Children.

The Most Rev. Festo Olang’, 1^st ACK Archbishop

He was born in Ebusakami Esabalu village in the County of Vihiga. He spent most of his Childhood in the rural areas of helping his father take care of his livestock. He did his entry level Primary Education at Komulo Primary School in Kisumu County in 1927. He was admitted to Maseno School in 1928. While in Secondary School, the Headmaster (Edward Carey Francis) guided him to grow in Christian faith. He taught in Sunday schools and encouraged local community members to take care of the environment by growing trees. He got confirmed into the Anglican Faith while at Maseno School. He later on in 1931 moved to Alliance High School, in Kikuyu, Kiambu County where he finished his secondary Education and did a course in teaching. Upon his completion of College education, he moved back to teach at Maseno School then transferred to the newly established Butere Girls High School in Kakamega County. He married Eseri Twera on the 24^th of December 1937 with whom they had 10 Children.

He wanted to become an Anglican Priest and so in 1944 he joined the St. Paul’s Divinity School, in Limuru, Kiambu County for a course in Theology. He was ordained as a deacon in 1945 and posted to serve at the Ramula pastorate, from 1946 to 1947. During this period he was able to baptize and confirm his own mother. In 1948, he won a scholarship from the British Council that enabled him to study at Wycliffe Hall, in Oxford, England, from the British Council, for one academic year. He was ordained a priest after his return to Kenya in 1950. He also became the principal of the newly started Maseno Bible School. In 1952 he became the first Kenyan rural dean for Central Nyanza. At the end of 1954, he became vicar of Bunyore.

He, together with Obadiah Kariuki were consecrated the first two African assistant bishops in Kenya by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Fisher, at Namirembe Cathedral, in Kampala, Uganda, on 15 March 1955. He was in charge of all western Kenya. In December 1960, he was nominated Bishop of the Diocese of Maseno, covering Nyanza and Western provinces, being installed in 1961 by Archbishop of East Africa, Leonard Beecher, at St. Stephen’s Church, in Kisumu, later his Pro-Cathedral. The growth of his Diocese lead to its division into two, with him in charge of the new Diocese of Maseno North. During his tenure in both dioceses, Olang’ was the chairman of the Luo and the Luhya Bible Translation Committees, helping to translate the Bible, the Prayer Book, and Hymn books into both languages.

He was enthroned as the 1^st African Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya, formerly known as the Church of The province of Kenya on the 3^rd August 1970, Upon the Division of the Anglican Province of East Africa in two new provinces, Kenya and Tanzania.

He is also remembered for his efforts in strengthening the relationships of members of the Global Anglican Communion. He also organized several conferences for Anglican Clergy at various Levels to with the aim firming the Anglican Communion. He also took part in several Ecumenical Meetings with other faith organizations like the World Council of Churches, The National Council of Churches, and The All Africa Conference of Churches among others.

As Archbishop he oversaw further growth of the Anglican Church around the country. He also further spearheaded the Social development Agenda of the Anglican Church of Kenya through the construction of Educational and Health institutions. By the end of his tenure, the Anglican Church of Kenya had grown to 7 dioceses, 288 parishes and had 374 ordained clergy. He retired in 1980. The Most Rev. passed on in 2004 after suffering from a Heart Attack.