SMA Kenya
The SMA involvement in Kenya began in 1992 when the British Province undertook the administration of the Parish of St Joseph the Worker, in the city and Archdiocese of Nairobi, at the request of the then Cardinal Michael Otunga (RIP). Fr Patrick Connolly SMA (British Province) was the first Parish Priest assisted by Fr Michael B McPartland SMA. Subsequent Parish priests were Fr John Hannon SMA (Clare) and Fr Frank Wright SMA (American Province).
In 1995 the Region of Kenya-Tanzania was established. Its headquarters was in Mwanza, Tanzania.
In 2001 it was decided to divide the Kenya / Tanzania Region into two separate Regions. A suitable house was acquired in Nairobi and it became the Headquarters for the Kenya Region. It serves as a place for missionaries passing through Nairobi from other parts of the country.
In 2009 the SMA African Foundation was divided into three separate units as Districts-in-formation (DF): Bight of Benin DF Рwith it headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria; Gulf of Guinea DF Рwith its headquarters in Lom̩, Togo and the Great Lakes DF, which has its headquarters in Nairobi. Members of this DF come from the DR Congo, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia The present Superior is Fr Jean-Baptiste Musa-Bino (DR Congo) assisted by Fr James Shimbala (Tanzania).
In 1993 the then SMA Superior General, Fr Patrick J Harrington, launched a project to seek vocations in Kenya and to establish an International House of Studies in Nairobi. Fr Thomas Hayden SMA (US Province) was appointed to lead the project and Fr Denis O’Sullivan (Cork) was put in charge of vocations.
In 1994 the first phase of construction of the House of Studies was completed. Students from Kenya and Tanzania commenced studies in Philosophy while students from India and Poland began Theology.
The Superiors of the House of Studies were: Fr John O’Mahony SMA (Dublin, 1994-1995) Fr Thomas Curran SMA (Wexford, 1995-2001) Fr Hugh Lagan SMA (Derry, 2001-2004) Fr John Dunne SMA (Cork, 2004-2007) Fr Albert Kouamé SMA (Cote d’Ivoire, 2007 – 2010) Fr Fabian Gbortsu SMA (Ghana) 2010 –
2014 / 2015 academic year: There are 44 students, including nine Deacons.
Our picture above are the four Deacons from the 2011 class with Bishop Noel O’Regan SMA.
Seventeen students are studying Philosophy; Twenty seven are in the Theology cycle.
Fr Gbortsu is assisted by Frs John Dunne (Cork, Ireland – House Bursar), Charles Kouakou (Ivory Coast – Student Director) and Anthony Kelly (Galway, Ireland – Spiritual Director).
SMA presence in 2015
There are twenty-one SMA missionaries appointed to Kenya. Some are in pastoral or administrative appointments in one of the four dioceses where the SMA are: Nairobi, Lodwar, Ngong and Kitale. Others are working directly for the Society (House of Studies, Regional or DF administration). The main focus of our missionary work is both urban and Primary Evangelization as well as providing some specialist ministries.
They come from the following units of the society: Ireland [5], Kenya [4], Ghana [3], India [3], Tanzania [2] and 1 each from DR Congo, Ivory Coast, Netherlands and Zambia. There are 15 SMA priests from Kenya, working in different parts of Africa and beyond. We also have three temporary members in formation.
There are 4 Archdioceses, 20 dioceses and 1 Vicariate Apostolic in Kenya.
Archdiocese of Nairobi
SMA Regional House Fr Fabian Hevi (Regional Superior) is from Ghana, Gulf of Guinea DF and resides at the Regional House. The Guestmaster is Fr Joy Andrews (India).
Fr Bernard Asuka (Deputy Regional Superior, Kenya) cares for the Parish in Kitengela. Fr James Clesham (Balla, Mayo) is Chaplain to Nairobi Hospital. Fr Padraig Devine (Frenchpark, Roscommon) is the Executive Director of SCCRR which works for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation, popularly known as the Shalom Centre. Fr Oliver Noonan (Cork City) is the Programme Manager for the SCCRR.
Also living in the Archdiocese of Nairobi are four SMA priests on the staff of the SMA House of Studies and three SMA priests administering the Great Lakes DF.
Diocese of ‘Ngong – SMAs care for Mary the Mother of God parish, Embulbul.
Diocese of Lodwar Bishop Patrick J Harrington SMA (Castletownbere, Cork) led the diocese since 2000. In March 2011 Rt Rev Dominic Kimengich was installed as the third bishop of the diocese. Fr Ludwig vanBussel (Dutch Province) ministers in the parish of Lorugumu.
Diocese of Kitale: An Indian DF SMA priest, Fr Dharmu Daniel is caring for Chepararia parish.
Diocese of Kakamega: Fathers Pascal Ekisa [Kenya] and Amal Raj Lawrence [India] are ministering in a parish in this diocese.
SMA Regional administration
Regional Superior – Fr Fabian Hevi SMA (Ghana, Gulf of Guinea DF), re-appointed for a third three-year term in 2013. He can be contacted at kenyasma @ gmail.com
SMA Regional House, P O Box 15573, 00503 Nairobi, Kenya
Telephone: +254 20 891912 or +254 20 891912
Mobile +254 712292229 or +254 712292229
Vice-Regional Superior – Fr Bernard Asuka SMA (Kenya)
Regional Councillors: Fathers Dharmu Daniel, Anthony Korir, Oliver Noonan and Fabian Gbortsu (Invitee).
Republic of Kenya
Area: 580,000 sq. km.
Population: 45 million.
Population Growth Rate: 1.3%
Capital: Nairobi
Head of State: President Uhuru Kenyatta [since 9 April 2013]
Independence: 12 December 1963
Ethnic Groups: Kikuyu 22%, Luhya 14%, Luo 13%, Kalenjin 12%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 6%, other African 15%, non-African (Asian, European, and Arab) 1%
Religions: Christians – 82% = Protestant 47%, Catholic 23%, other Christians 11%. Muslims 10%, Traditional Religion 6%, other 2%.
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