New Anglican Church in Kenya (ACK) head to be unveiled today

All is set for the official enthronement of the new head of the Anglican Church in Kenya (ACK), who will take over the reins from retired Archbishop Eliud Wabukala.

Bishop Jackson ole Sapit will today be unveiled as the sixth Archbishop of the church, in a ceremony to be attended by top leaders from the Government led by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto.

Other high profile guests expected are CORD leaders Raila Odinga and his fellow co-principals Moses Wetang’ula and Kalonzo Musyoka. The event will also be graced by senior clergy from Kenya and outside the country. Yesterday, All Saints’ Cathedral, the church’s headquarters which will be a beehive of activity, had huge tents being set up and the compound being spruced up in readiness for the big day.

Different choir groups also rehearsed as they prepared for the historic day in the Anglican Church calendar.

Speaking yesterday to The Standard on Sunday, Nairobi Anglican Bishop Joel Waweru, who is also the chairman of the Archbishop Retirement and Enthronement Committee said over 5,000 people are expected to attend the fete.

“Apart from the President and his Deputy, we have invited a number of international guests including the Archbishop of Canterbury and Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America, among others from the continent,” said Waweru.

According to the Bishop, a special church service will begin at 9am with the process of the installation of the new leader expected to end by 1pm.

Maseno West Diocese Bishop Joseph Wasonga, who also doubles up as the dean of the ACK Church, will lead the service.

“Bishop Wasonga will be the man to swear in the new primate. Archbishop of Tanzania Jacob Erasto Chimeledya will be the preacher during service,” explained Bishop Waweru.

An upbeat Archbishop Sapit told the Standard on Sunday said he was ready for his big day.