Archbishop Muhatia assumes as KCCB Chairperson deputized by Muheria » Capital News

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 11 — The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has elected Archbishop Maurice Muhatia as the new Chairperson succeeding Archbishop Martin Kivuva.

Archbishop Kivuva of the Mombasa Diocese announced the leadership change at a press briefing at Roussel House in Nairobi’s Karen on Thursday.

“I would like to introduce the team at the helm, the Archbishop of Nyeri Anthony Muheria becomes the Vice Chair of the conference. We also decided to have a new Chair, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia of Kisumu Diocese,” he said.

The leadership change is in line with KCCB regulations that impose a 3-year term for leadership positions.

During the press conference, KCCB commented on several national issues protesting the move by the government to ‘dilute’ the church’s sponsorship role in church-founded educational institutions.

Archbishop Kivuva cited the proposed Basic Education Eill 2024 expressing the conference’s dissatisfaction with proposals it termed as regressive. KCCB said the Bill undermines the role of the church in education.

“The proposed new bill now threatens the crucial role of the churches in our education system. We therefore decry and reject the systematic scheme to undermine and weaken our role as the founders of Catholic-sponsored schools,” he stated.

The conference also denounced the upward review of work permit charges imposed on missionaries.

“The exorbitant changes in the work permits paid by missionaries from Sh15,000 to Sh150,000 is unethical and shows a lack of gratitude to people,” Archbishop Muheria stated

KCCB’s press briefing came a day after its elections when it welcomed newly installed Bishops — Peter Kamomoe and Wallace Ng’ang’a — who were ordained Auxilary Bishops of Nairobi Archdiocese on April 6.

By Minah Mahero.

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