By Wesley Omondi
NAIROBI, AUGUST 16, 2024 (CISA) – Pope Francis has appointed two new bishops in Kenya, reflecting the Holy See’s ongoing commitment to the spiritual and pastoral leadership in the country.
The appointments, announced on August 15, 2024, included Fr Peter Kimani Ndung’u as the Bishop-elect of the Catholic Diocese of Embu and Rt Rev Wallace Ng’ang’a Gachihi as the Bishop of the Military Ordinariate of Kenya.
Fr Peter Kimani Ndung’u, who hails from the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi. He was born on November 11, 1966, in Githunguri, Kiambu County. Fr Kimani has served the Church in various capacities since his ordination on July 22, 1995.
After completing his philosophical studies at the Apostles of Jesus Major Seminary in Nairobi and his theological studies at St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, also in Nairobi, Fr Kimani began his priestly ministry as an assistant parish priest at Sts. Peter and Paul in Kiambu (1995-1999). He later served as the parish priest of the Holy Rosary in Kamwangi from 1999 to 2001.
Since 2001, Fr Kimani has been serving as the National Chaplain of the Kenya Prison Service, a role in which he has provided spiritual guidance and psychological support to inmates. His work in this challenging field has been bolstered by his academic achievements, including a Diploma in Computer Science (2002) and a Diploma in Psychological Support for the Rehabilitation of Prisoners (2003).
In 2015, he furthered his expertise at the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI).
Fr Kimani is set to succeed Bishop Paul Kariuki Njiru of Wote as the fourth bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Embu. His extensive experience in pastoral care and his dedication to serving marginalized communities positions him well to lead the diocese.
In another key appointment, Rt Rev Wallace Ng’ang’a Gachihi has been named as the Bishop of the Military Ordinariate of Kenya. Born on March 26, 1973, in Gatundu, Kiambu County, Bishop Gachihi has a distinguished record of service in the Archdiocese of Nairobi.
Bishop Gachihi was ordained a priest on May 21, 2005, after completing his studies in philosophy at St. Augustine’s Senior Seminary in Mabanga and theology at St. Matthias Mulumba Senior Seminary in Tindinyo. His early ministry included serving as an assistant at Sts. Peter and Paul in Kiambu (2005-2006) before becoming the parish priest of the same parish (2006-2009).
In addition to his parish duties, Bishop Gachihi pursued a Master’s degree in Pastoral Theology at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) from 2009 to 2011. He subsequently served as the assistant at Regina Caeli Parish in Karen (2009-2015) and later as the parish priest of Christ the King in Embakasi from 2015 until his recent appointment. Bishop Gachihi has also been the coordinator of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Ministry since 2011 and a member of the College of Consultors.
Bishop Gachihi’s new role as the head of the Military Ordinariate of Kenya marks a significant responsibility, where he will provide spiritual leadership to the country’s armed forces, police, and their families. His experience and leadership within the Archdiocese of Nairobi have prepared him to guide the military community in their spiritual and pastoral needs.
