The Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Kitui Diocese on Saturday held a grand celebration to mark 30 years since its establishment. The vibrant ceremony, which drew thousands of faithful from across the county, took place at the diocesan St. Martin’s Cathedral.
The event was graced by a host of dignitaries including former ACK Archbishop Benjamin Mwanzia Nzimbi, former Kitui Governor Charity Kaluki Ngilu, Kitui Central MP Dr. Benson Makali Mulu, Safaricom Foundation’s Chief Risk Management and Security Officer Nicholas Muinde Mulila, and Deputy Speaker of the Kitui County Assembly Christopher Nzilu Nzioka. The leaders addressed the faithful and praised the diocese’s growth over the decades.
The celebrations were organized by the ACK Kitui Diocese in collaboration with the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) and a wide array of corporate sponsors including Jadean Hardwares Limited, NCBA Bank, absa Kenya, Mwalimu National Sacco, Cooperative Bank of Kenya, Equity Bank, Family Bank, and several local businesses and hotels.
ACK Kitui Diocese was carved out of the larger ACK Machakos Diocese in 1995, with the Most Rev. Benjamin Mwanzia Nzimbi serving as the founding bishop. Speaking during the event, current Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Gideon Muneeni Nzoka, expressed deep gratitude to the faithful for attending in large numbers.
“I am very happy to see you,” Bishop Nzoka told the congregation, noting that the diocese has grown to include 105 parishes and eight archdeaconries — Kitui, Syongila, Katheka, Ulungu, Ikanga, Mwingi, Kyuso, and Yatta — covering the entire Kitui County.
Bishop Nzoka also announced that the Diocese will hold an education day in July 2025 at the diocesan Emco Academy. “We are to arrange the date for the July 2025 Education Day,” he said.
Reflecting on the Diocese’s development, Bishop Nzoka highlighted the critical infrastructure built by his predecessors. “A diocese requires three things to become a diocese: the office, the church, and the bishop’s house,” he said. “The Archbishop (Nzimbi) constructed the diocesan office, Mule constructed the bishop’s house, and I myself constructed the church (the cathedral).”
Rt. Rev. Nzimbi, now 80, served as the first bishop from April 1, 1995, to November 8, 2002, before becoming the ACK Archbishop. He was succeeded by Rt. Rev. Josephat Vundi Mule, who served until January 19, 2020. Bishop Nzoka, now 63, has led the Diocese since then.
The day was marked with song, prayer, dance, and reflections on the Diocese’s three-decade journey of faith, growth, and service.
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