The installation of Rev. John Mwangi Nyenye as provost at Christ the King Church in Nyahururu, Laikipia County, included an unexpected yet symbolic gesture: a pair of Akala sandals was handed to him by Bishop Samson Gachathi. The durable sandals, made from old motor vehicle tyres, are a symbol of resilience, often used by herders and widely known in Kenya’s Mt. Kenya and Nyanza regions.
Bishop Gachathi used the Akala sandals as a metaphor for the long journeys the new provost would undertake, visiting the sick in hospitals and ministering to families in homes. This gesture reflected the practical and enduring nature of the sandals, making it a fitting reminder of the demands of pastoral work.
The installation ceremony, which also saw other clerics being inducted into new roles, marked significant administrative changes within the Nyahururu Anglican Church of Kenya Diocese, covering Nyandarua and Laikipia counties.
For the first time in the diocese’s 26-year history, 12 evangelists were robed for official occasions, a move that signifies a shift in how the church is adapting to meet the needs of the local community during challenging times, particularly with the current economic hardships faced by many Kenyans.
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