20/05/2026
๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ซ๐ข ๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐ก ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ 79 ๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐
๐๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ
After 79 years of missionary presence, the Consolata Missionaries have officially handed over Matiri Catholic Parish in the Diocese of Meru to the local Church. What began in 1947 as a small mission station in the dry and isolated Tharaka region has today become a vibrant and living Christian community rooted in faith, education, healthcare, and human dignity.
For decades, the missionaries walked closely with the people of Matiri through droughts, struggles, celebrations, baptisms, and everyday life. Through the efforts of missionaries such as Fr. Andrew Botta, IMC, and Br. John Koczka, schools were established, water reached the community from Mutonga River, and what began as a small dispensary eventually grew into St. Orsola Hospital Materi. The mission became a source of hope for generations.
The handover celebration held on May 17, 2026 and presided over by Fr. Zachary Kariuki, IMC, Regional Superior of the Consolata Missionaries and joined by Fr. Linus Kinyua Kiraithe , Vicar General of the Diocese of Meru, brought together priests, religious, catechists, schools, parish groups, and faithful from across the region.
In a deeply symbolic moment, Fr. Matthew Kamwara, IMC, handed over the parish keys and sacramental registers to the Diocese of Meru, marking the transition to local pastoral leadership under Fr. Nicasio Nkune, the first diocesan priest to lead the parish.
The story of Matiri is a reminder that true missionary work is not about building dependency, but nurturing a community strong enough to stand on its own. After nearly eight decades, the Consolata Missionaries leave behind not simply buildings or institutions, but a living Church that continues to grow in the faith and witness of its people.
