At 88, Mathew Kinuthia or 'Matayo', as he is known among the community in Kangemi, may have seen it all in life.
But not anything like what awaits the staunch Catholic adherent in a fortnight; an audience with Pope Francis.
And he relishes the spiritual meeting that has everything to do with his close links with St Joseph Catholic Church, Kangemi, which the Pope will visit.
It is two weeks to the arrival of the Pope, and signs that Kangemi is expecting an important guest are all over the place.
From Kenya Power officials working to ensure the lighting leading to the church are functioning to youths hawking items branded with the Pope's image, there are clear signs that the anticipation is high.
There are also road contractors working all day to flatten the gravel and put tarmac on the rough road that leads to the church.
Inside the church, members of the organising committee are going through the list of people who will meet the Pope with a fine-tooth comb.
There are several names, among them Mathew Kinuthia, who they say played an important role in the construction of the parish.
"Mathew (Kinuthia) has been involved in every stage of the construction of this church. In fact, he is the one who used to host the congregation in his compound long before the church was built," said Peter Magu, a member of the planning committee.
Born in Kangemi in 1927, Mr Kinuthia recalls walking several kilometres in search of a church. There was none in Kangemi, and they had to go through thickets to attend service at Riruta Parish, which was also not very big.
At the age of 27, he decided to donate a piece of land to the Catholic Church to hold services. This marked the foundation of St Joseph The Worker Church in Kangemi.
"This church in Kangemi is not an ordinary church. It took the efforts of several community members and the late Father Joseph Payuer to construct it, and it was not easy," said Kinuthia.
His wife, Grace Wangari, looks back and laughs heartily at the humble beginnings that gave birth to the church that is now the talk of most people, not only in Kenya, but all over the world.
"The church started from absolutely nothing. It was made of banana leaves and maize cobs because there was no money to put up something permanent," said Ms Wangari.
For many years, the congregation worshipped under the temporary structure while making numerous appeals to the late Maurice Cardinal Otunga to help them fund raise for a proper church.
In the early 80s, Cardinal Otunga heeded their call and a plan was approved. Kinuitha was still among the contractors who helped in shaping up the building.
"He sat in the committee that made decisions on how the church will be built, and helped in making crucial decisions on how everything turned out," said Wangari.
Kinuthia says even though the youthful spring he had when the church was being constructed is now lost, he looks forward to meeting the Pope.
Despite being on crutches, he is confident of meeting the Pope, and have a one-on-one talk.
"I heard rumours on my radio that the Pope is coming to a church that I helped to build and my heart leapt. I couldn't sleep. I went to the Father in the Parish to confirm and when he said Pope Francis is coming, I said I have to see him," said Kinuthia.
