PCEA installs new secretary general

The newly installed Presbyterian church of East Africa (PCEA) Secretary General Robert Waihenya. [George Njunge, Standard]

The Presbyterian Church of East Africa has installed a new Secretary general.

The event was marked online during their 22nd general assembly held in Nairobi, in line with regulations on Covid-19 that bar public gatherings.

Rev Robert Waihenya was installed by PCEA moderator Rt reverend Julius Mwamba in presence of delegates at the church headquarter in Nairobi while other delegates watched the unfolding events through a live stream.

Rev Waihenya takes over from Rev Peter Kania whose time of office is expiring in a years’ time. During the same ceremony the general administrative committee installed Rev Paul Mwangi Kariuki as the deputy secretary general taking over from Rev Alfred Mugendi Kanga after an expiry of a four-year non-renewable term.

The two were nominated by all the 56 Presbyteries of the PCEA church last December. Prior to the appointment Rev Waihenya was the director of mission and evangelism department while Rev Kariuki was the parish minister Kamiti parish and Ruiru presbytery moderator.

During the installation, Julius Mwamba, the church moderator said that they had to do the installation virtually in order to abide by the government directives of social distance.

“This is usually a mega meeting, we usually meet for a whole week with all church groups participating like the children ministry, women’s guild and men fellowship,” Mwamba said.

Rev Waihenya the new secretary general said that he was humbled by the appointment and installation there off.

“It’s a humbling moment for me and my family, I commit myself to the enormous task ahead of guiding millions of the Presbyterians across East Africa, it’s a taxing job but with the help of God and support from the congregants I shall make it,” Waihenya said.

Mwamba hailed technology saying that it can be effectively used as an avenue through which church can continue to grow and fulfill its mandate.

The moderator said that the church was very concerned because of the floods and Covid-19 pandemic where he urged the government to work closely with the church in aid distribution to the vulnerable members of public.

“We have identified a few needy cases as a church, areas like Kericho and Makongeni in Thika where we have distributed food to the public and we are still trying to identify other needy cases to help out,” Mwamba said.

The installation was done by the General administration committee that brought together delegates from 56 presbyteries that form PCEA church.