Kenya's New Bishop of Kakamega, Joseph Obanyi Sagwe Ordained

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Kenya's new Bishop of Kakamega, Joseph Obanyi Sagwe ordained
by Vatican Radio
10/3/15

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Kenya's new Bishop of Kakamega, Joseph Obanyi Sagwe with Deputy President of Kenya, William Ruto - RV

The newly ordained Bishop for the Catholic Diocese of Kakamega in Kenya, Bishop Joseph Obanyi Sagwe, has been encouraged to “know the smell of (his) sheep” as he begins his new ministry as the second Bishop of the diocese in Western Kenya.

The advice came from the Bishop Emeritus of Kakamega Diocese Philip Sulumeti, when he presided at the ordination of his successor in a colourful and animated ceremony. The ordination took place at Kakamega’s Bukhungu Stadium on Saturday 7 March.

“The shepherd must know the smell of his sheep,” Bishop Emeritus told his successor and added, “A Bishop should strive to serve, rather than to rule, because being Bishop is not a title of honour but rather a function.”

Bishop Sulumeti’s words echo those of Pope Francis who, since his election in March 2013, has insisted on having Church leaders who live with, love, care, and show concern for the people they serve, memorably describing them as “shepherds who have the smell of their sheep.”

Bishop Emeritus encouraged his successor, a native of Kissi ethnic group, to learn Luhya, the language of the people of Kakamega Diocese. The Diocese of Kakamega covers the whole Kakamega territory and Vihiga Counties, explaining that the knowledge of language of the inhabitants of his diocese would facilitate his knowing “the smell of the sheep” he will be shepherding.

The Deputy President of Kenya, William Ruto, who represented the President of Kenya at the Saturday event, also encouraged the new Bishop to learn Luhya language in order “to journey well with the people” under his pastoral care.

The Deputy President confirmed the government’s commitment to dialoguing with Church leaders in Kenya “for the good of all the citizens”, describing Catholic Church leaders as key stakeholders in the education and health sectors.

The Deputy President was responding to John Cardinal Njue’s plea to the government to foster dialogue with the Church in Kenya on matters affecting ordinary citizens in the country.

Catholic Bishops in Kenya have been opposed to the nationwide Tetanus Vaccination Campaign targeting 2.3 million Kenyan women and girls of reproductive age between 15-49 years, terming the campaign a secret government plan to sterilize women and control population growth.

The representative of the Pope in Kenya (and South Sudan), Archbishop Charles Daniel Balvo thanked Bishop Emeritus Sulumeti for his 43 years of service as Bishop, Bishop Obanyi for his generosity in accepting the “unexpected” appointment as Bishop of Kakamega, and Bishop Joseph Mairura Okemwa for accepting to “lose” a worthy helper from Kissi diocese to Kakamega.

Until his appointment as Bishop of Kakamega by Pope Francis on 5 December 2014, Bishop Obanyi who marks his 48th birthday on Tuesday, was Vicar General of Kissi diocese.

Addressing the thousands who gathered to witness his episcopal ordination, Bishop Obanyi prayed for a spirit of collaboration from the clergy and the religious in Kakamega Diocese and urged the laity to unite with him as their “humble shepherd” in order to grow in faith.

“What you have done may take a long time to forget,” Bishop Obanyi told his predecessor, thanking him for his leadership and wishing him all the best in his retirement.

Kakamega Diocese was established in 1978, with Bishop Emeritus Sulumeti as its first bishop.

According to the booklet prepared for the Saturday liturgy, the diocese has a total population of 790,588 Catholics, 107 diocesan priests, 3 deacons, 450 religious men and women, and 47 major seminarians.

The diocese has 40 parishes, one pastoral centre, one Catechetical College, one Minor Seminary, 280 Nursery Schools, 256 Catholic-Sponsored Schools, 134 Catholic-Sponsored Secondary Schools, one Teachers’ Training College, 15 Polytechnics, 18 Primary Schools for physically and mentally challenged children, one Vocational Secondary School for deaf girls, two orphanages, two hospitals, 12 Health Units, one School of nursing, and one school of Clinical Medicine.

The motto of the new bishop is from Psalm 116:13, Calicem salutaris accipiam (I will raise the cup of salvation).

(By Fr. Don Bosco Onyalla in Kenya)

e-mail: engafrica@vatiradio.va

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Press statement by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops
November 6, 2014

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Stand by the Truth (John 8: 32)

Preamble,

Dear Christians, fellow Kenyans and all people of good will, We, the Catholic Bishops in Kenya, meeting at St. Mary’s Pastoral Center in Nakuru, greet you in the name of Our Lord.

During our weeklong Ordinary Plenary Assembly, we have taken stock and reflected deeply on the state of the nation and have identified the following issues of great concern:

1. Insecurity

As we gathered to start our meeting, we received the sad news of the killing of scores of security officers at Kapedo and other areas in the nothern frontier. The horrific event is a sad reminder of the state of the alarming level of insecurity in our country, and only the latest in a series of events across the country in which many Kenyans have lost their lives.

We share the pain of the families and friends who have lost their dear ones. It is sad, that despite many promises that come after such catastrophes, nothing gets done and the same tragic cycle is repeated soon thereafter.

For example, the Government promised stern action after Kenyans lost their lives in Lamu County. To date, only two people have been taken to court.

How many more Kenyans, including security officers, must lose their lives before real order is restored? We now want to state categorically, that time has come for less talk and more action.

One major cause of rampant insecurity in parts of this country is inequitable development. It is regretable, that despite 50 years of independence, some parts of this country have not seen meaningful development, with no roads, no schools and other essential social services.

We reiterate that peace and development are inseparable: there can be no peace without development; and no development without peace.

To ensure lasting security in the country, it is imperative that the Government ensures that National resources and services are equitably distributed.

At the same time, the Government must ensure that all disputed boundaries in the country are clearly demarcated to stem simmering tensions between counties over newly discovered mineral resources.

We are deeply concerned about clear lapses in our Government’s security response mechanisms. News that the slain officers at Kapedo appealed for backup and no response was forthcoming for more than 30 hours, is a clear indication that there are dangerous gaps in our security apparatus, and that there is an urgent need for overhaul.

This is not the first time that we are raising this issue with the Government.

2. The Tetanus Vaccine

Dear Kenyans, due to the direction the debate on the ongoing Tetanus Vaccine campaign in Kenya is taking, We, the Catholic Bishops, in fulfilling our prophetic role, wish to restate our position as follows:

1. The Catholic Church is NOT opposed to regular vaccines administered in Kenya, both in our own Church health facilities and in public health institutions.
2. However, during the second phase of the Tetanus vaccination campaign in March 2014, that is sponsored by WHO/UNICEF, the Catholic Church questioned the secrecy of the exercise. We raised questions on whether the tetanus vaccine was linked to a population control program that has been reported in some countries, where a similar vaccine was laced with Beta- HCG hormone which causes infertility and multiple miscarriages in women.
3. On March 26, 2014 and October 13, 2014, we met the Cabinet Secretary in-charge of health and the Director of Medical Services among others and rasied our concerns about the Vaccine and agreed to jointly test the vaccine. However the ministry did not cooperate and the joint tests were not done.
4. The Catholic Church struggled and acquired several vials of the vaccine, which we sent to Four unrelated Government and private laboratories in Kenya and abroad.
5. We want to announce here, that all the tests showed that the vaccine used in Kenya in March and October 2014 was indeed laced with the Beta- HCG hormone.
6. On 13th of October 2014, the Catholic Church gave copies of the results to the cabinet secretary and the Director of Medical Services. The same was emailed to the Director of Medical Services on October 17, 2014.

Based on the above grounds, We, the Catholic Bishops in Kenya, wish to State the following:

1. That we are shocked at the level of dishonesty and casual manner in which such a serious issue is being handled by the Government.
2. That a report presented to the Parliamentary Committee on Health November 4, 2014 by the Ministry of Health, claiming that the Government had tested the Vaccine and found it clean of Beta- HCG hormone, is false and a deliberate attempt to distort the truth and mislead 42 million Kenyans.
3. That we are dismayed by attempts to intimidate and blackmail medical professionals who have corroborated information about the vaccine, with threats of disciplinary action. We commend and support all professionals who have stood by the truth.
4. That we shall not waver in calling upon all Kenyans to avoid the tetanus vaccination campaign laced with Beta-HCG, because we are convinced that it is indeed a disguised population control programme.

3. Corruption and National Values

Dear Kenyans, we mourn the persistence of chronic corruption in all sectors of society -- from the national police recruitment exercise that was nullified due to corruption concerns, national examinations whose integrity has been lost, land grabbing, missing land and court files, and disturbing reports of misappropriation of public resources.

We shall not get tired of reminding the Government and all Kenyans, that corruption is a cancer that is swiftly eating into every part of our society; one that is robbing our children of their legacy. Unless there is a united front against this vice, we will lose our Nation to forces of evil.

4. Conclusion

Dear Kenyans, and people of good will, We, the Catholic Bishops in Kenya, urge you to remain prayerful and vigilant. We want to assure you, that we shall not tire of reminding the Government of its constitutional mandate to you, dear Kenyans, to protect lives and provide basic services-that is our pledge to you.

May the Lord guide you and keep you safe now and forever more.

November 6th , 2014

Signed

His Eminence John Cardinal Njue

Chairman-Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops

Rt. Rev. Philip Anyolo Vice Chairman (KCCB), Homa Bay
Most Rev. Zacchaeus Okoth, Kisumu
Most Rev. Peter Kairo, Nyeri
Rt. Rev. Philip Sulumeti, Kakamega
Rt. Rev. Paul Darmanin, Garissa
Rt. Rev. Cornelius K. Arap Korir, Eldoret
Rt. Rev. Joseph Mairura Okemwa, Kisii
Rt. Rev. Alfred Rotich, Military Ordinariate
Rt. Rev. Maurice Crowley, Kitale
Rt. Rev. Norman Wambua King’oo, Bungoma
Rt. Rev. Peter Kihara, IMC, Marsabit
Rt. Rev. David Kamau Ng’ang’a - Aux. Bishop, Nairobi
Rt. Rev. Anthony Ireri Mukobo, IMC, Isiolo Vicariate
Rt. Rev. Virgilio Pante, Maralal
Rt. Rev. Salesius Mugambi, Meru
Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Okombo, Kericho
Rt. Rev. Martin Kivuva Musonde, Machakos
Rt. Rev. Anthony Muheria, Kitui
Rt. Rev. James Maria Wainaina, Muranga
Rt. Rev. Paul Kariuki Njir, Embu
Rt. Rev. Maurice Muhatia Makumba, Nakuru
Rt. Rev. Dominic Kimengich, Lodwar
Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Barbara, Malindi
Apostolic Administrator, Mombasa
Rt. Rev. Joseph Mbatia, Nyahururu
Rt. Rev. John Oballa Owaa , Ngong
Rt. Rev. Joseph Allesandro, Co-adjutor, Garrisa

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Statement from WHO and UNICEF on the Tetanus Vaccine in Kenya
by World Health Organization
unicef unite for children
November 13, 2014

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The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) express their deep concern about the misinformation circulating in the media on the quality of the Tetanus Toxoid (TT) Vaccine in Kenya.

The allegations are that the tetanus vaccine used by the Government of Kenya and UN agencies is contaminated with a hormone (hCG) that can cause miscarriages and render some women sterile. These grave allegations are not backed up by evidence, and risk negatively impacting national immunisation programmes for children and women.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone produced by the placenta, during pregnancy. hCG is also produced in the pituitary glands of males and females of all ages. However, very high levels pose risks to pregnancy.

We have taken note of test results claiming to show levels of hCG in samples submitted to some clinical laboratories. However, it is important to note that testing for the content of a medicine, e.g TT Vaccine needs to be done in a suitable laboratory, and from a sample of the actual medicine/vaccine obtained from an unopened pack and not a blood sample. Furthermore, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board - the legally mandated National Regulatory Authority has the capacity and mandate to determine the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines and to advise the Government accordingly.

WHO and UNICEF confirm that the vaccines are safe and are procured from a pre-qualified manufacturer. This safety is assured through a three-pronged global testing system and the vaccine has reached more than 130 million women with at least two doses in 52 countries.

Given most tetanus cases in Kenya are among newborns, the target group of Kenya's TT vaccination campaigns is girls and women (15-49 years), with a particular emphasis on those in the most marginalized areas. We note with concern that Kenya is one of the 25 countries where tetanus is still a public health problem, killing hundreds of newborns every year.

WHO and UNICEF reiterates our readiness to support the Government of Kenya in its efforts to provide safe and quality assured vaccines for the immunization programmes.

Dr. Custodia Mandlhate
WHO Representative
Kenya

Dr. Pirkko Heinonen
Acting Representative
UNICEF Kenya

13 November 2014