Catholic shrine replaces old traditions at the revered hill

Catholic faithfuls praying around the newly launched Mother Marry Queen of Peace in Kabiyet, Nandi County. [Edward Kosut, Standard]

The peak of the epic Kabiyet Hill in Mosop, Nandi County, is now as sacred shrine.

Christened Mother Mary Queen of Peace, the Catholic Church added significance to the monumental hill after it erected a monumental crucifix.

The hill, located about three kilometres from Kabiyet Township, the sub-county headquarters, has for years been a place for leisure, where members of the Nandi community and visitors spent time having fun.

The Nandi community believed a supernatural being, known as Asis (sun), lived at the hill.

Elders performed rituals, prayed for rains and conducted thanksgiving sacrifices for abundant harvests and good health, among others. They also

When the colonial government set administrative offices, the site became an ideal position where they installed communication masts for radio signals.

But now, the mountain, which is about 250 metres high, is once again venerated as a spiritual site according to the Catholic Church doctrines.

A large statue of Jesus on the cross stands at the highest point of the hill, while a few metres away is a grotto for Mary, the mother of Jesus, painted in white and blue.

It is the first facility to be established in the region to be used by the Catholic faithful from the North Rift and Western region for prayers and pilgrimage.

Fr Fredrick Keter, the shrine rector, said the facility they expect faithful from Elgeiyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Bungoma, Uasin Gishu, Kakamega and Trans Nzoia counties to pay pilgrimage.

"It is a queenship of Mary shrine that was recently completed. We are still working on the roads and putting up a church that will accommodate over 3,000 people in a few years to come," he said.

The Catholic leadership, he said, resolved to start a shrine on the mountain to replace the traditional practices that were no longer popular in the contemporary society.

"The site has historical ritual background, and the locals regard it has a sacred place in the ancient days. The shrine replaces the old traditions, and the Catholic believers will be attending prayer masses around the grotto of holy Mary."

Keter said the church shares the same perspective with the community that God exists in mountains, which they regard as ideal places for worshipping.

He likened Kabiyet Hill to the biblical mountains, including Mt Olives, Mt Nebo, Mt Moria, Mt Zion and Mt Tabor, where altars were constructed for prayers and sacrifices.

"Whenever Moses wanted to speak to God, he climbed up to Mt Sinai to submit prayers for children of Israel. It is also the same point where God gave the ten commandments to Moses, and that is why the Catholic Church reserve those sites as special places of worship," he said.

He noted that the shrine, whose construction started last year, is open for the public and families, prayer groups and students.

"The annual prayer masses that bring all churches under Catholic Diocese of Eldoret are conducted too. The shrine is a symbol of unity that brings all churches together for interdenominational annual prayers," added Keter.

About 5,000 people, including political leaders, attended the launch of the shrine on Friday.

Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, and MPs Abraham Kirwa (Mosop) and Paul Biego (Chesumei) were among leaders who attended the function presided over by Kitale Catholic Bishop Henry Juma Odonya.

Sammy Misoi, the leader of Catholic Men Association, described the shrine as an epitome of Christianity in the community. He said the community had phased out the old cultural practices and embraced Christianity.

"The church facilities will be a tourism site, and it will bring about spiritual impact to the locals. We are looking forward to have a church structures that will helpful to the community social functions," he said.