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Kenyan Diocese Embarks on 160-Mile Foot Pilgrimage to Marian Shrine for Prayer Day

Bishop Joseph Obanyi Sagwe of Kakamega leading pilgrims for a walk to Subukia National Marian Shrine which belongs to the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB). Credit: Kakamega Diocese

By Silas Isenjia

Kakamega, 29 September, 2023 / 9:25 pm (ACI Africa).

Kenya’s Catholic Diocese of Kakamega has seen off 200 pilgrims who are trekking some 160 miles to a Marian shrine where they will participate in the country’s annual prayer day slated for October 7.

Flagging off the foot pilgrimage at a Wednesday, September 27 ceremony, Bishop Joseph Obanyi Sagwe of Kakamega lauded the pilgrims for choosing to walk to Subukia National Marian Shrine which belongs to the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB).

The Bishop assured the pilgrims that through praying and walking, they are made Christ’s witnesses.

Credit: Kakamega Diocese

“By praying and walking, we are witnesses. Today I have had the opportunity to flag off this important journey for you,” Bishop Sagwe told the pilgrims including four Priests, three Religious, and several Catechists.

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“This pilgrimage is a spiritual journey that reminds us that as human beings, our nature of life is about journeying,” the 56-year-old Kenyan Bishop who has been at the helm of the Kakamega Diocese since his Episcopal Ordination in March 2015 said, adding that the pilgrimage to the Marian Shrine which is some 40km from Nakuru town is a special journey that allows the pilgrims to join other people of God in praying for the East African nation.

Credit: Kakamega Diocese

In an interview with ACI Africa, Fr. Maurice Erambo who was on the team that organized the pilgrimage, a journey of approximately 265 kilometers said that all the 43 parishes in the Diocese were represented.

“The Bishop has always encouraged the people of God in the Catholic Diocese of Kakamega to always take part in this National prayer day, which serves as the climax of our pastoral activities from January,” Fr. Erambo said in the Wednesday, September 27 interview.

Credit: Kakamega Diocese

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He added, “Now that we are heading towards the end of the year, the height of our pastoral activities is joining the entire faithful of the country, and from the pilgrimage, we will get rejuvenated again to continue with our journey of faith back here at home.”

Credit: Kakamega Diocese

The Parish Priest of St. Patrick Lufumbo Catholic Church said that the pilgrims expected to arrive at the Shrine by Friday, October 6 will be “praying, singing and meditating as they walk.” 

Silas Isenjia

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.

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