Our History
From the arrival of the first CMS missionary in 1844 to the founding of the Diocese of Maseno North in 1970 — a story of faith, sacrifice, and the growth of the Church in Western Kenya.
The Growth of the Anglican Church in Maseno
The history of the Anglican Church of Kenya dates back to 1844 when the first missionary from the Church Missionary Society (CMS), Dr. Johann Ludwig Krapf, arrived in Mombasa. What followed was a century of faithful mission work that would eventually give birth to the Diocese of Maseno North.
The First Missionary
Dr. Johann Ludwig Krapf of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) arrived in Mombasa and moved 30 miles west to start a church at Rabai. He was joined two years later by Rev. Johann Rebman.
Diocese of Eastern Equatorial Africa
The diocese was created, covering Uganda, Kenya and Tanganyika, with James Hannington as the first Bishop.
Split into Mombasa
The diocese was split into two — the new Diocese of Mombasa governing Kenya and northern Tanzania, while the other later became the Church of Uganda.
Maseno Mission Station
Mr. Hugh Osborn Saville, who had started a CMS station at Vihiga in 1904, relocated to Maseno and established a Mission station on 14th January 1906. Rev. J.J Willies joined him on 21st October 1906.
St. Paul's Maseno
Evangelism work started under the Omuseno tree (hence the name Emuseno and Maseno). The church was built at this spot and the foundation stone laid in August 1908 and named St. Paul's Maseno.
First Baptisms
On 8th May 1909, the first catechumens were admitted and baptized on 30th January 1910 by Rev. Willis. On 3rd January 1912, the Rt. Rev. R. Tucker confirmed fifteen people.
School of Nursing
The Maseno School of Nursing was started with the enrollment of assistant enrolled midwives.
Diocese of Maseno North
Formed by the division of the Diocese of Maseno. The Rt. Rev. Festo Olang' became its first Bishop.
Archdeacon Ven. Walter Edward Owen & The Continuing Legacy
One of the priests whose work will not be forgotten is Archdeacon Ven. Walter Edward Owen of Kavirondo. He was appalled by the level of poverty and sickness of the people he interacted with and therefore spearheaded the expansion of the dispensary, which had been started in 1908 at the same place, with funds granted by the Red Cross for the Kavirondo members of the army carrier corps. He championed the rights of the African majority through the Kavirondo Taxpayer's Welfare Association whose aim was to teach civic education and aid economic development.
The Maseno School of Nursing was started in 1935 with enrollment of assistant enrolled midwives. Thirty-five years later, this diocese was formed in 1970 by the division of the Diocese of Maseno, and the Rt. Rev. Festo Olang' became its first Bishop. However, later in the year he was elected first African Archbishop of the Anglican Church, and was succeeded in the Diocese by the Rt. Rev. James I. Mundia, who served until 1993.
The Rt. Rev. Isaack Namango was the assistant Bishop, serving between 1984 to 1987. He then became the 1st Bishop of the newly created Diocese of Nambale. In 1995, the Rt. Rev. Simon M. Oketch was consecrated as the 3rd Bishop of the Diocese, where he served till 2018. He was succeeded by the Rt. Rev. Charles Asilutwa. The History of Maseno cannot be complete without mentioning the Bishops who have led this diocese from its inception.
Bishops of the Diocese
The leaders who have guided the Diocese of Maseno North from its inception to the present day.
The Rt. Rev Charles Kascan Asilutwa
Current- He was consecrated and enthroned on 10th June 2018.
- He is the current Bishop of the Diocese.
Bishop Simon Mutingole Oketch
- He was consecrated and enthroned as the third Bishop of the Diocese of Maseno North on 17th December 1995.
- He served for 25 years.
- He retired on 30th June 2018.
The Rt. Rev James Israel Mundia
- Was consecrated and enthroned as the second Bishop of the Diocese of Maseno North on 2nd October 1970.
- He served the Diocese for a period of 23 years.
- Retired on 28th February 1993.
- He died in February, 1997.
The Most Rev Festo Olang’
- Enthroned Bishop of Maseno in 1960. Upon Sub-division of Maseno, he transited to the see of Maseno North on 1st January 1970 where he served for only eight months.
- He was elected as the first African Archbishop of the Province of Kenya in August 1970 and died on Tuesday 3rd Feb 2004 at 95.
"The History of Maseno cannot be complete without mentioning the Bishops who have led this diocese from its inception."
ACK Diocese of Maseno North