Bishop Obanyi Presides Over CUEA Gaba Campus Convocation Ceremony
By Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chimombo, API Coordinator
Rt. Rev. Joseph Obanyi Sagwe, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kakamega, Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret, and Patron of CUEA Eldoret Gaba Campus, graced the Campus Convocation Mass and Ceremony marking the opening of the 2026/2027 academic year on 3rd September 2026.
He presided over the Holy Mass and subsequently joined the academic procession marking a new beginning in the life of CUEA Eldoret Gaba Campus.
In his address, the Bishop challenged the staff and the wider Gaba Campus community to sustain a culture of academic excellence, integrity, professionalism, and fidelity to CUEA’s Catholic identity. He underscored that the mission of a Catholic university goes beyond intellectual formation to encompass the moral and spiritual formation of individuals capable of transforming society through ethical leadership and service.
Bishop Obanyi’s visit was followed by that of the new Vice-Chancellor/Rector, Very Rev. Prof. Elias Opongo, SJ providing a strong and visible demonstration of senior leadership engagement with the Campus. The two visits generated renewed confidence and enthusiasm among staff and the wider Gaba community. More importantly, they reinforced the message that Eldoret Gaba Campus is integral to CUEA’s institutional renewal and turnaround agenda.
The visible presence of University leadership has therefore served as a significant morale booster, strengthening the sense of ownership, institutional unity, and commitment to the implementation of the CUEA Turnaround Strategy at Eldoret Gaba Campus.
The visit of the Vice-Chancellor, Very Rev. Prof. Elias Omondi Opongo, SJ, from September 3 to September 7, 2026, significantly boosted the morale of both staff and students. His presence provided an important opportunity for the University leadership to interact directly with the AMECEA Pastoral Institute (API) community and gain a deeper appreciation of the Institute's mission, programmes and pastoral character.
While addressing the participants, the Vice-Chancellor congratulated them for choosing API Gaba Campus for their renewal and formation. He commended them for making a choice that provides them with adequate time for rest, reflection and renewal through the full nine-month programme, while remaining accessible and affordable.
Building a Stronger University-API Relationship
The VC's extended presence at Gaba provided a valuable opportunity for open and informal interaction with both staff and participants. This interaction enabled him to gain a clearer understanding of how API operates and collaborates with the University, as well as the unique pastoral nature of the Institute.
For the students and staff, the opportunity to interact freely with the Vice-Chancellor was particularly encouraging. It helped them feel valued, listened to and recognized as an important part of the University community.
Continued University Support
In his closing remarks, the Vice-Chancellor assured the API community of the continued support of the University in strengthening the Institute, supporting its programmes and safeguarding the welfare of its participants.
This assurance has given renewed confidence to both staff and students and has strengthened the conviction that API and CUEA can work together effectively to advance the Institute's mission and contribute to the pastoral development of the Church in the AMECEA region.
A Promising Beginning for 2026/2027: Strong and Diverse Enrolment
The AMECEA Pastoral Institute (API), Eldoret-Gaba Campus, has recorded an encouraging and commendable enrolment for the 2026/2027 academic year, with participants drawn from across the AMECEA region. The Sabbatical Renewal Programme remains the most preferred programme, attracting the highest number of participants among the three programmes currently being offered.
The encouraging enrolment, growing interest in the Sabbatical Renewal Programme, diverse representation of the Church and renewed engagement with University leadership all point to a promising 2026/2027 academic year for API.
Currently, it has 35 participants undertaking various programmes, with some participants already expressing interest and reserving places for the January 2027 intake. The current cohort represents a rich diversity within the Church, comprising of Priests, Religious brothers, Religious sisters and Catechists representing the lay pastoral agents.
This diversity provides a rich and comprehensive representation of the Church, greatly enriching the experience of community living, learning, spiritual renewal and pastoral exchange. API remains grateful to the Religious Superiors, dioceses, congregations and individual pastoral agents who continue to place their trust in API. With the support of the University and the wider AMECEA family, API is poised to strengthen its contribution to pastoral renewal, formation, evangelization and the mission of the Church in Eastern Africa.
The Sabbatical Renewal Programme: A Major Attraction
The strong preference for the Sabbatical Renewal Programme demonstrates the continued relevance of API's mission of providing time for rest, renewal, reflection, formation and pastoral reorientation. The programme offers participants an opportunity to step away from the demands of active ministry, regain spiritual and emotional strength, deepen their pastoral knowledge and prepare themselves for renewed service to the Church.