KARIOBANGI GOES FOR A JOURNEY TO LIFE  

By Oluoch Japheth and Jacob Odhiambo  

The 9^th Nov, 2003 will forever remain fresh in the minds of the members of Kariobangi Parish. This will remains in history as a day when Kariobangi Parish went for a journey to life. Not threatened by the rains, about one thousand people turned up for the early morning pilgrimage to Kibera. Earlier, panic struck those who had registered for the pilgrimage when it was announced that those attending had to assemble at Kariobangi Parish at 5:30 a.m. few believed that those from St. John, Korogocho will brave the prevailing insecurity to arrive in time. This was put to rest on the material day. At 5:45 am, the Church was full to capacity. All were set for the jounery; their ribbons keenly pinned on their chests.

Excitement rented the air as we departed for the pilgrimage to life. Tens of the PACE (Italian word for PEACE) flags, in their full rainbow colours, the rainbow of our own diversity added beauty to the pilgrimage. Large Comboni Potraits and banners invoking his dreams of “Save Africa by Africa” ‘Africa or death’ supplemented the beauty.

The rosary was said from Kariobangi Parish to St. Teresa Catholic Church,the revenue for our first stop. The rosary could be interrupted with songs and dances from time to time.

Addressing the participants at St. Teresas Parish Fr. Daniel Moschetti, Father in charge, St. John Catholic Church said that the choice of St. Teresas as our first station was not an accident. He said that St. Teresaswas at the center of several slums. It stood at the center of Kibera, Mathare and Korogocho slums, the largest in Nairobi. He said that according to a research by “Kutoka Inter-slums Network”, Nairobi alone has 130 slums. It was therefore important to pray for our country and families that require peace. He stressed on the need to love the poor.

John Ochieng, a catechist at St. John Catholic appealed to the Congregations to emulate Daniel Comboni who advocated for the poor. “Cemeteries and morturies also segregate the poor and the rich. The rich are not burried at the same spots with the poor”. He added. John Ochieng who is also the coordinator of Boma Rescue Street Children Center cried for the plight of the poor people who work for several hours at the Industrial Areas but are terribly underpaid. “my greatest happiness is that we are able to work together and address our plight in one voice” he added.

All said and done, the second phase of the journey to life began. This time it was interrupted with moments of silence to reflect about our inner peace as individuals. This was very important because peace and justice is brewed at the human heart. There can never be peace and  justice for all when individuals have not liberated their hearts and forgiven themselves.

At nine o’clock, the enthuathistic  crowd was ushered into Uhuru Park. Fr. Umberto, the head of Comboni in Kenya joined us. Huruma Zone facilitated the proceedings. Addressing the gathering. Mr. Ojwang, Chairman of the parish council reiterated the importance of peace and justice to the Catholic Community. He said that it was important that families practice peace and justice. “Many youths are leaving the Church due to lack of role models from the parents. If Christian communities are not united, many others are locked from joining the Church”. He said.

Meanwhile, Fr. Mario, Parish priest, Kariobangi Holy Trinity has said that the pilgrimage is like a journey to life. He said that this was like renewing our baptisimal vows of being others peoples servants. He said that the pilgrimage to Kibera was a commencement of what Fr. Raul, (parish Priest Christ the King, Kibera) calls ‘fraternal twins’ relationship. “This is a result of Arch Bishop Ndingi who advised that Kariobangi Parish and Christ the King should initiate a peace building campaign. Both have suffered over tribal clashes, insecurity and the land problem leading to Mungiki and Taliban clashes”. He also said that our missions had a vision of faith  and peace and praised Shilanga Sub-parish for naming it after  Daniel Comboni. The climax of the day was therefore inauguration of the Shilanga Sub-parish.

In conclusion, the Kibera Pilgrimage and the peace Campaign are just a few of the latest programmes initiated by the slum dwellers to address the problems affecting them. One such intervention is the Kutoka Interslums Network. A brain child of Fr. Daniel Moschette and Bro. Fimbrr among others, the Kutoka (Kiswahili for Exodus) Network was started in February 2002 at Mji Wa Furaha, the National Catholic Youth Centre, by twelve parishes. It has a dream to give good news from the slums using the press. This will contradict the mainstream media that don’t see any good news from the slums. The network will run ‘Sauti ya Ghetto’ a weekly programme in Radio Waumini, the Catholic Radio. It highlights various issues in the slums such as drugs, educations and street children. For instance, the network will hold a marathon on 14^th Dec. 2003 to create awareness against the use of alcohol and drugs. The network also meets bi-monthly to discuss specific topical issues such as the on going review of the Kenyan Constitutions.

I believe that these direct interventions will go along way to fulfil Comboni dream ‘Save Africa by Africa’