By Boniface Mulu
Kitui County, Kenya: The Anglican faithful in Kitui County celebrated their diocese’s 30th anniversary on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the St. Martin’s Cathedral, the diocesan headquarters.
The event was graced by distinguished guests, including former Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Archbishop Benjamin Mwanzia Nzimbi, former Kitui County Governor Charity Kaluki Ngilu, Kitui Central Constituency Member of Parliament Dr. Benson Makali Mulu, Safaricom Foundation Chief Risk Management and Security Officer Nicholas Muinde Mulila, and Deputy Kitui County Assembly Speaker Christopher Nzilu Nzioka, among others. The leaders addressed the congregation during the ceremony.
The colorful celebration was organized by the diocese in partnership with the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), Jadean Hardwares Limited, NCBA Bank, Absa Kenya, Mwalimu National Sacco, Kalundu Makutano Stores, Cooperative Bank of Kenya (CBK), Kitui Parkside Villa Hotel, Kitui Premier Hotel, At Your Service, Simple Steps to Green, San Marino Hotel, Equity Bank, Family Bank, Best Outlets, Muthokinju Paints and Cement, and Rammats Kitui.
The ACK Kitui Diocese was established in 1995 after being carved out from the larger Machakos Diocese, with Benjamin Mwanzia Nzimbi serving as its first bishop.
Addressing thousands of faithful who attended the celebrations, the Diocesan Bishop, the Right Reverend Gideon Muneeni Nzoka, expressed his gratitude for their overwhelming turnout. “I am very happy to see you,” he told the congregation.
Bishop Nzoka revealed that the ACK Kitui Diocese comprises 105 parishes spread across eight archdeaconries: Kitui, Syongila, Katheka, Ulungu, Ikanga, Mwingi, Kyuso, and Yatta. “We cover the entire Kitui County,” he said.
He also announced plans for a diocesan education day in July 2025 at the diocesan Emco Academy. “We are finalizing the exact date for the event,” he added.
Reflecting on the diocese’s growth, Bishop Nzoka noted, “A diocese requires three key elements: an office, a church, and a bishop’s house.” He commended the exemplary leadership of his predecessors ,Benjamin Mwanzia Nzimbi and Josephat Vundi Mule and expressed pride in his own contributions to the diocese’s progress.
