Festo Olang': First black archbishop of the Anglican Church in Kenya

 Festo Habakkuk Olang with Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. (Courtesy)

Festo Habakkuk Olang’ was the first ever archbishop of the Kenyan Anglican Church.

Born in 1914, he attended Kisumu Primary and then Maseno School before proceeding to Alliance.

His father, Etarwa, had four wives. Olang’s mother alongside two other siblings was the first wife in this family.

Olang’s Christian faith was developed while attending Maseno School under influence of the then principal Carey Edward Francis.  His faith in Christ continued growing until he became a Sunday school teacher under the guidance of Mr Francis every week.  Other than teaching the Bible to other students, Olang was also involved in planting trees and evangelising around the village churches.

In 1931, he moved to Alliance High to proceed with his A levels. Incidentally, he once again met Carey Francis, the famous mathematician who had been transferred from Maseno School.

After his secondary education, he proceeded to college for teacher training certificate. He completed the training and went back to Maseno School now as a teacher.

Olang’s first stint in ministry began in 1945 when he was ordained as church deacon at St Stephen’s Church, Nairobi. A year later, he got ordained into the priesthood at St Paul’s Maseno Bible School where he rose through the ranks to become the principal.

In 1960, he was elevated to full Bishop of Maseno region, which covered Western and Nyanza Provinces.

In May 1955, Olang got consecrated as assistant bishop in the Kenyan church, making him one among the first Africans to hold such a position.

Olang became the first African bishop to head the Kenyan territory of the church.

Olang died on Tuesday 3, 2004 aged 95. He left behind two sons, eight daughters, 45 grandchildren and 24 great- grandchildren.