The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi (Latin: Nairobien(sis)) is the Metropolitan See for the ecclesiastical province of Nairobi in Kenya, and the Primatial see for Kenya.
History
- 26 February 1860: Established as Apostolic Prefecture of Zanguebar from the Diocese of Saint-Denis-de-La Réunion in Réunion
- 23 November 1883: Promoted as Apostolic Vicariate of Zanguebar
- 1887: Renamed as Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Zanguebar
- 21 December 1906: Renamed as Apostolic Vicariate of Zanzibar
- 25 March 1953: Promoted as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Nairobi
Special churches
The seat of the archbishop is a minor basilica, the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Nairobi.
Bishops
- Vicar Apostolic of Northern Zanguebar (Latin Church)
- Vicars Apostolic of Zanzibar (Latin Church) Bishop Emile-Auguste Allgeyer (17 February 1897 – 3 April 1913); Bishop John Gerald Neville (1 September 1913 – 8 March 1930); Bishop John William Heffernan (15 March 1932 - 7 June 1945); Bishop John Joseph McCarthy (11 July 1946 – 25 March 1953); see below
- Metropolitan Archbishops of Nairobi (Latin Church) Archbishop John Joseph McCarthy (25 March 1953 – 24 October 1971);[1] see above; Archbishop Maurice Michael Otunga (24 October 1971 – 14 May 1997) (Cardinal in 1973); Archbishop Raphael Ndingi Mwana'a Nzeki (21 April 1997 – 6 October 2007); Archbishop John Njue (6 October 2007 – 4 January 2021) (Cardinal in 2007); Archbishop Philip Anyolo (28 October 2021 – present)[2]
Coadjutor Archbishops
- Raphael Simon Ndingi Mwana’a Nzeki (1996-1997)
- Maurice Michael Otunga (1969-1971); future Cardinal
Auxiliary Bishops
- Anthony Ireri Mukobo (1999-2006). Appointed Vicar Apostolic of Isiolo
- David Kamau Ng'ang'a (Since 22 December 1999)
- Alfred Kipkoech Arap Rotich (1996-1997). Appointed Bishop of Kenya, Military
- Simon Peter Kamomoe (13 February 2024 - 5 July 2025)[3] Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Wote[4]
- Wallace Ng'ang'a Gachihi (13 February 2024 - 12 October 2024). Appointed Bishop of Kenya, Military (Since 12 October 2024)[5]
- Obed Muriungi Karobia (Auxiliary Bishop-Elect) (Since 26 March 2026)[6]
Suffragan dioceses
References
- 1.Archbishop John Joseph McCarthy, Catholic hierarchy, retrieved 28 October 2015
- 2."Pope Francis picks Archbishop Philip Anyolo to head Nairobi Catholic Church". 28 October 2021.
- 3."Resignations and Appointments". press.vatican.va. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
- 4.ACI Africa (5 July 2025). "Bishop Kamomoe, Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Kenya's Wote Catholic Diocese". ACI Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- 5.Joe Mwirigi (12 October 2024). "Rev. Wallace Ng'ang'a Gachihi installed as Bishop of Kenya's Military Ordinariate". Citizen Digital. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- 6.Mary Wanjohi (27 March 2026). "Meet Obed Muriungi, Kenya's Youngest Newly Appointed Catholic Bishop". The Kenyan Times. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 1 April 2026.