By Francis Ngahu

NAIROBI, NOVEMBER 4, 2026 (CISA) – In November, the month the Church sets aside to pray for the faithful departed, Catholics gathered at Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi on Wednesday to commend to God the late Archbishop John Njenga, eight years to the day since the Archbishop Emeritus of Mombasa died.

The 1 p.m. memorial Mass, organised by the Archbishop John Njenga Foundation, was led by Archbishop Philip Anyolo of Nairobi, whom Archbishop Njenga ordained a priest in 1983. Members of the late prelate’s family and of the Foundation sat among friends and Christians who came to pray for the repose of his soul. Archbishop Njenga is buried at the Basilica.

The gathering follows a year in which Kenya’s Church has paused to remember its late shepherds. In September, the faithful marked the 23rd death anniversary of Cardinal Maurice Otunga with a memorial Mass led by Archbishop Anyolo. On Nov. 9, the Diocese of Kakamega will mark a year since the death of its pioneer bishop, Philip Sulumeti.

For the homilist, the Mass was first of all an act of solidarity. “We come to stand in solidarity with the family to pray for his soul,” he said.

He said the day’s readings speak to the Church’s own journey. The faithful are a pilgrim people heading “to encounter the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living,” and Archbishop Njenga was a man who “walked tirelessly, stopping at nothing.” Preaching on St Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he said that walk is sustained by attentive reception of the Word of God.

From the Gospel of Luke, he drew a harder lesson. Discipleship demands detachment, he said. A Christian may love parents, spouse, children and wealth, but God must remain the first claim, even above family.

The homilist then recalled the Archbishop’s path. Born on Christmas Day 1928 into a Protestant household, John Njenga met the Catholic faith through schooling under the Holy Ghost Fathers. He was ordained a priest on Feb. 17, 1957, and became the first indigenous priest of the Archdiocese of Nairobi. He was named Bishop of Eldoret in 1970, moved to Mombasa as bishop in 1988, and became its first archbishop in 1990, when the diocese was raised to an archdiocese.

His record in both sees was practical. The Nation has reported that he spearheaded the founding of more than 40 secondary schools in Eldoret. In Mombasa, the homilist said, he started parishes and opened schools, including special schools.

The 1997 Likoni clashes tested him most. Thousands of displaced people sheltered in the Catholic church compound, and Archbishop Njenga insisted they stay there, according to reports from the time. Armed raiders attacked the compound on Aug. 22. The homilist said the Archbishop also spoke with then President Daniel arap Moi to seek peace, and is remembered for founding an interdenominational council that opened dialogue between Christians and Muslims.

Archbishop Njenga died on Nov. 4, 2018, at Mater Misericordiae Hospital in Nairobi, aged 89.

The faithful, the homilist said, are still on the road he walked, and the task now is to follow it with the same diligence.