The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has recently announced a change in leadership. Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba of the Kisumu Metropolitan has been appointed as the new chairman, succeeding His Grace Martin Kivuva Musonde of the Archdiocese of Mombasa, who has completed his term.
Prior to this appointment, Archbishop Makumba served as the vice-chairman and principal administrator of KCCB. Born in Lirhanda village in Kakamega County in 1968, Makumba made history by becoming the youngest Catholic bishop in Kenya at the age of 41. He pursued his education at St. Charles Lwanga Secondary School before joining St. Mary’s Major Seminary. His academic journey took him to Rome, Italy, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Urbaniana Pontifican University and a Master’s Degree in philosophy from Pontifical Holy Cross University. He was ordained as a priest on October 15, 1994.
Assisting Archbishop Makumba in his new role will be Archbishop Anthony Muheria of Nyeri Metropolitan.
As the Chairman of KCCB, Archbishop Makumba’s responsibilities are significant. He is elected by the Plenary Assembly and presides over all Ordinary and Extraordinary Plenary Assemblies as well as the Permanent Council of Bishops. Acting as the official spokesperson, he represents the Conference in both local and international forums, either personally or by delegation. Additionally, he oversees the continuity of the Conference’s activities, supervises the work of the General Secretariat with the assistance of the Vice Chairman-KCCB, and reports on the Permanent Council’s activities to the Plenary.
