Church History

Divine Mercy Catholic Church Kariobangi South Parish covers the area lying within the “triangle” formed by Outering Road, Komarock Road and Kangundo Road. Kariobangi South Estate was first developed by Nairobi City Council as a tenant purchase project between 1969 and 1970 on both sides of Mutarakwa Road. Residents started occupying the houses between 1971 and 1972. The nearest Catholic Church was Holy Trinity, Kariobangi North Parish which was under the Comboni Missionaries and some of the pioneer K/South Catholic residents started attending Mass there. The Parish Priest then, Rev. Fr. Marrer, started visiting Kariobangi South every Thursday between 6 and 7 pm and together with the pioneer Catholics they would visit other homes looking for more Catholic families. This is how Thursday later became the Jumuiya day for Kariobangi South.

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In 1973 Fr. Marrer started celebrating Mass in Kariobangi South on two Sundays a month. These Masses were held in the open in one of the Courts. Mary Mother of God Jumuiya was formed at this time. Later the Masses were increased to every Sunday and were held inside the compound of one of the families (Mr.& Mrs. Chui's home) where there was some shelter and ample space. From mid 1970s to early 1980s, Kariobangi South Flats, Maisonettes, red brick houses and Civil Servants were developed and occupied, thereby increasing the population tremendously. Efforts to get a plot to build a church commenced in earnest. In 1984 the Church was allocated a plot by the Nairobi City Council, through the assistance of Councillor Andrew Mwangi Chui who was the Councillor for Sharing Moyo but residing at K/South (Masses were held at his home). A tent was erected on the plot where Sunday Masses used to be held.

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In 1985 Kariobangi South was elevated to an Outstation of Kariobangi North Parish and construction of a permanent multipurpose hall (to be used as both a church and a nursery school) commenced with design, building materials and supervision support from the Comboni Missionaries and labour provided by the Christians. A chapel and an ablution block were also constructed. These were completed in 1987. Two more Jumuiyas were then formed, St. Anne covering Civil Servants area and St. Joseph covering the City Council Flats and Maisonettes area. In 1997 Kariobangi South Church was allocated another plot by the Nairobi City Council adjacent to the old one where the current Church stands, through the assistance of then Councilor Pison Kogie, on which additional developments could be carried out.

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In January 1998 Kariobangi South Church was elevated to a Parish by His Grace Archbishop Raphael Ndingi Mwan’a Nzeki. The late Rev. Fr. David Njuguna was appointed the first Parish Priest. His residence was a prefabricated wooden house. The Parish initially took the name Holy Cross but was later advised by the Archdiocese. to choose a different name to avoid confusion with the neighbouring Holy Cross Dandora Parish. The Parish then took the name Divine Mercy. The current Parish Priest is Rev. Fr. James Mukui and his assistant is Rev. Fr. Michael Owuor. The other Parish Priests who have served in the Parish are Rev. Fr. George Gathongo, Rev. Fr. Paul Maichuhie, Rev. Fr. Michael Kimani and Rev. Fr. Daniel Ikonya. The Assistant Parish Priests have been Rev. Fr. Jeremiah Gitau, Rev. Fr. Augustine Kariuki, Rev. Fr. Henry Ndichu, Rev. Fr. Chinna Rao, Rev. Fr. John Damascene, Late Rev. Fr. Michael Kahurani and Rev. Fr. Wilfred Mwaura.

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The Current Parish Moderator is Mr. Geoffrey Muriuki and past Chairmen/Chairlady of the Parish Pastoral Council are Mr. Pison Kogie, Mr. Peter Karwega, Mr. Jarvis Njoroge, Mr. Peter Chege Kamau, Mr. Francis Njeru, Mr. Philip Otieno and Eng. Rosemary Kung’u. Additional developments in the parish have included construction of a Primary school (Pre-primary to Grade 6), Junior Secondary School (JSS), a dispensary, the over 2,000 sitting capacity Church, perimeter wall, borehole, a power generator and a new Priests’ house. Currently there are 4,000 registered Christians and there are 34 Jumuiyas which meet every week. On Sundays Three masses are held at the Parish. The following church groups are active in the parish: - Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Committee, Liturgical Committee, Lectors Society, Catholic Men Association, Catholic Women Association, Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, Young Adults, Youth, Mission Youth Movement, Pontifical Mission Childhood, Legion of Mary, Charismatic, Marriage Encounter and Self-Help. There are four choirs in the Parish; St. Gregory the Great, St. Camillus, St. Veronica and St. Aloysius Gonzaga. 

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All these spiritual and physical developments were crowned with the Consecration of our new Church by His Eminence John Cardinal Njue, on 10th September 2017.