Nairobi: Hundreds of faithful filled the serene grounds of the Resurrection Garden in Karen, Nairobi, to mark the 22nd anniversary of the death of Servant of God Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga, Kenya’s first cardinal and one of the country’s most revered churchmen.
The solemn commemoration was highlighted by the celebration of Holy Mass, presided over by Archbishop Bert Van Megen, Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya. In his homily, the Nuncio paid tribute to Cardinal Otunga’s humility and enduring witness of faith. “Cardinal Otunga never allowed titles to define him,” he said. “He would often remind us, ‘I am just a humble servant of God.’”
The anniversary gathering held special meaning as it took place in the Resurrection Garden, a retreat center envisioned by Cardinal Otunga himself. Fr. Marino Gemma, in his opening reflection, reminded participants that the Cardinal intended the Garden to be a place where Christians could find silence, prayer, and encounter with God. “As we gather here today, may we rekindle that same simplicity and faith which guided his life,” Fr. Gemma said.
Drawing from the Gospel of John, Archbishop Van Megen likened Otunga’s life to the grain of wheat that dies to bear fruit. “Cardinal Otunga embodied this truth. He lived in simplicity, served the poor, avoided human praise, and stayed rooted in the Gospel. Even in death, he continues to bear fruit through the countless lives he touched,” the Nuncio reflected.
He encouraged the faithful to continue the Cardinal’s mission by living lives of humility, truth, and service. At the same time, he renewed the appeal for prayers and testimonies of miracles that could support Otunga’s beatification cause. “Kenya needs its own saint,” he said, “and Cardinal Otunga’s life speaks with striking clarity to that hope.”
The beatification process for Cardinal Otunga has been steadily advancing since it was officially opened in 2009. Archbishop Van Megen reminded the faithful that such processes unfold with patience and trust in God’s timing: “The wisdom of the saints always teaches us that God’s time is the perfect time.”
Born in 1923 in Chebukwa, Bungoma County, to a traditional chief, Maurice Michael Otunga chose the path of faith over privilege. Ordained in 1950, he went on to serve as Bishop of Kisii, then as Archbishop of Nairobi, before being elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Paul VI in 1973 the first Kenyan to receive the honor.
Known for his humility, he lived simply, often sharing his belongings with the poor and rejecting luxury. His ministry was marked by a strong pastoral closeness, a staunch defense of the dignity of human life, and a clear proclamation of Gospel values.
In his later years, he chose to reside quietly with the Missionaries of Charity Sisters, embracing the very simplicity he preached throughout his life. When he died in 2003, Kenya mourned not only a leader but also a spiritual father whose memory continues to inspire.
Today, two decades after his passing, Cardinal Otunga’s life remains a guiding light for the Church in Kenya and beyond. As the faithful await the recognition of miracles through his intercession, many see his cause for sainthood as a symbol of hope for Africa and the wider Catholic world.