A new Primate was elected in Kenya last Friday. I find it a bit interesting to have to rely on secular media for both the news of the election and the results… ACNS has nothing about this yet.
Wabukala elected as Anglican Church head
Bishop Eliud Wabukala has been elected as the new archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK). The Archbishop-elect, formerly of Bungoma diocese was elected in a ceremony that lasted over five hours at the All Saints Cathedral. He won on a simple majority, after they all failed to garner the mandatory two thirds of the votes. He beat three other contestants including Joseph Wasonga of Maseno West diocese, Samson Mwaluda of Taita Taveta diocese and Stephen Kewasis of Kitale diocese.
Speaking to the press after his election, an elated Wabukhala expressed gratitude to the church for the peaceful transition. “I would like to thank the Anglican (church) and particularly the electoral college, for the peaceful election they have carried out, and for maintaining the integrity of the church,” he told reporters. He says he is ready to take the baton from where his predecessor, Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi left, noting that the challenges are indeed opportunities.
“We know there are challenges to do with building bridges among our community, reconciling people and healing. We shall continue with where he has left. Our aim is to ensure the gospel is preached and taught, and possibly med [sic ??] to make people live it in this country” he added.
See also: here, here, and here
Archbishop Wabukala will be enthroned on July 5 at a service at the All Saints Cathedral, but will assume office on July1. Archbishop Nzimbi will still hold office until June 30.
Photo credit: Anglican Church of Kenya
Update: Here is some more information about Bp. Wabukala from the Wycliffe College website from October 2008 (Bp. Wabukala is an alumni of Wycliffe and spoke there last fall.)
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Eliud Wabukala, W94
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Wabukala is the Bishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), Diocese of Bungoma. He chairs the ACK provincial Colleges Council and the ACK Constitutional Review Commission also known as ‘the Wabukala Commission’. A graduate of Wycliffe College, Makerere University and St. Paul’s College Limuru, Bishop Wabukala has previously served as an Academic Dean of St. Paul’s, a lecturer, and an administrator in the provinces.
The bishop, who earned his Masters degree at Wycliffe College, is chairman of the National Council of Churches of Kenya, a coalition of 29 protestant churches and para-church institutions.
His ministry goal is “to reach the entire nation with a holistic gospel which informs all of life.” His focus is “not on numbers, but the entire nation.” His own diocese, the Diocese of Bungoma, has 200,000 to 300,000 persons, which is made up of 50 parishes. There are 300 churches (10 churches to one parish).
Most recently, Bishop Wabukala has been an instrumental member of a peace planning commission with the Kenyan government to find a solution to the politically-instigated violence in that country. Kenya’s political unrest was sparked by the irregularities in the national elections in late 2007 where the opposition leader Raila Odinga appeared to have won the poll. Between 500 – 1, 000 people died as a result of the violence.
