By TOBIAS CHANJI
KWALE, KENYA: Legislators who ascribe to the Catholic faith have announced plans to build old age homes in Trans Nzoia and Kwale counties for retired priests.
The MPs say they were moved by the suffering of priests who have no wives or children to turn to in old age.
Speaking in Ukunda, Kwale, on Christmas Day, Wundanyi MP Thomas Mwadeghu announced that well-wishers have already donated land in Trans Nzoia and Kwale to construct the homes.
“Our Catholic priests don’t have wives and when they retire, where do they go? Who caters for them?” posed the MP, who is the chair of the Catholic MPs Spiritual Support Initiative.
Mwadeghu, who was attending mass at St Joseph Catholic Church in Ukunda, said there has never been a plan to cater for retired priests in Kenya unlike in other countries.
“In September, I toured Rome with (MP) Chris Wamalwa and (Senator) Gideon Moi to meet Pope and what we saw perplexed us. Their churches have built houses for retired priests and everything is catered for,” he said.
He said they have acquired 10 acres in the two counties.
“A well-wisher in Kitale town donated to us a five acre land and as MPs we are going to purchase an extra five acres. In Kwale, another well-wisher gave us 10 acres which will cater for priests at the Coast,” he explained.
The MP said the surveying and architecture for the homes will be done early next month. The initial construction will start in 2015.
“We want the homes to be self-sustaining by putting in place a farming project. They (priests) will eat from here and will also have people to look after them and a place where they can go out for a walk,” he reiterated.
The retirement age for Catholic priests is usually 70 years.
