St. Rita Parish - Nchiru

St. Rita Parish

About St Rita Parish

Parish History

We were hived from Kianjai Parish in 1999. The first parish priest was Rev. Fr. Francis Limo Riwa. We have produced one diocesan priest, Rev. Fr. Linus Kiambi, who works in Thanantu Parish, and one religious sister, Sr. Christine Kendi of the Franciscan Clarist Order. She made her perpetual profession in 2021. We have a diocesan seminerian, who completed his seminary training in 2025.

History of Nchiru Prayer House

Nchiru Prayer House began in 1954 as an outstation of Tigania parish, later Kianjai Parish and became a parish center in 1999.

LIST OF PRAYER HOUSE LEADERS

  1. Janet Muchamura - Catechist
  2. Robert Kinyua - Coordinator
  3. Betty Thuranira - V.Coordinator
  4. Elizabeth Ntinyari - Secretary
  5. Charles Gikundi - V.Secretary
  6. Florah Mukonene - Treasurer

History of St. Benedict Amwari Prayer House

LIST OF PRAYER HOUSE LEADERS

  1. Evangeline Kathure - Catechist
  2. Edward Mutembei - Coordinator
  3. Margaret Kanene - V. Coordinator
  4. Wilson Muchui - Secretary
  5. Doris Kangai - V. Secretary
  6. Gatwiri Thaitumu - Treasurer

SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES

  1. St. Lucy
  2. St. Barnabas
  3. St. Mark

St. Benedict Amwari Prayer House has a primary school named Amwari Primary School which is Catholic-sponsored.

History of St. Teresa Kanjai Prayer House

St. Teresa Kanjai prayer house was begun in the year 1957. This was out of the effort made by four founder Christians, namely; Cyprian M'Kirichiu, Joseph Baitaru, Johana Mungania and Philip M'Imanyara. They used to walk many kilometres so as to attend mass at Tigania Parish. They got Kanjai prayer house land by requesting their friend Mr. Mwongo M'Raikobo for settlement. At this time, Kanjai prayer house was under Ruiri parish until 2001 when it was transferred to Nchiru prayer house.

LIST OF PRAYER HOUSE LEADERS

  1. Amina Karimi - Catechist
  2. Johnson Thuranira - Coordinator
  3. Ezekiel Marangu - V. Cordinator
  4. Julius Mwingirwa - Secretary
  5. Hellen Nkoyai - V. Secretary
  6. Agnes Karea - Treasurer

Initially, we had only four. Now we're at over sixty. Kieru and Makirune prayer houses split from St. Teresa Kanjai prayer house.

SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES

We have four SCCs, namely:

  1. St. Paul
  2. St. Mary
  3. St. Joseph
  4. St. Faustina Kowalska

LAND SIZE, OWNERSHIP AND NUMBER

St. Teresa Kanjai prayer house has 0.42 hectare of land owned by Nyambene County Council, reserved for Kanjai Catholic Church, parcel number 1175.

History of St. Charles Kiabaibate Prayer House

LIST OF PRAYER HOUSE LEADERS

  1. Beatrice Kawira - Catechist
  2. Francis Mulung'e – Coordinator
  3. Rita Mwathwana – V. Cordinator
  4. Mary Muthoni – Secretary
  5. Mary Gatumwa – V. Secretary
  6. Florah Kaguri - Treasurer

SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES

We have two SCCs, namely:

  1. St. Peter
  2. St. Irene

History of Kieru Prayer House

It was begun by the late chairman Lawrence Mwitari and Fr. George Cognat. A piece of land was given by the land adjudication office in 1990.

LIST OF PRAYER HOUSE LEADERS

  1. Catechist – Rosalia Kariri
  2. Coordinator – Patrick Kailikia
  3. Vice Coordinator – John Muthaura
  4. Secretary – Patrick Maithima
  5. Vice secretary – Julius Gichunuku
  6. Treasurer – Stella Nkatha

Number of Christians – 133 families.
Number of Small Christian Communities – 5.
Church Groups – 4
Prayer and devotional groups – 1 (St. Vincent de Paul).
Pastoral programs by Christians – None
Bishop's Ordination contribution – Sh. 30,700.

History of Christ The King-Makirune Prayer House

It was begun in 2012 under Rev. Fr Francis Limo Riwa. In 2016, Rev. Fr. Basil Njagi begun saying Sunday mass at 7.00 am with the assistance of a few of the faithful. In October of the same year, construction of the prayer house chapel began. There was no prayer house council but a construction committee. In 2019, three officials were elected to oversee the building project, i.e. Mary Wanyoike (coordinator) Bernard Kaberia (secretary) and Cecilia Riungu (Treasurer). The church building has been progressing, though it's not yet complete. It lacks window panes, plaster and paint.

LIST OF PRAYER HOUSE LEADERS

  1. Bernard M' Amburukua - Catechist
  2. Coordinator – Simon Gituma
  3. Vice Coordinator – James Mancha
  4. Secretary – Irene Kawira
  5. Vice Secretary – Joseph Karuti
  6. Treasurer – Julia Kathumba

SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES

We have three SCCs, namely:

  1. St. Teresa
  2. St. Dominic de Guzman
  3. St. Francis of Assisi

LAND SIZE, OWNERSHIP AND NUMBER

Makirune prayer house has approximately 1 Acre of land, Uringu 1 AD J, plot number 1877.

History of St. Joseph Rwanjwee Prayer House

LIST OF PRAYER HOUSE LEADERS

  1. Shadrack Mweba – Catechist
  2. Stella Mataria – Coordinator
  3. Peter Muturia – V. Coordinator
  4. Catherine Kanja – Secretary
  5. Caroline Makena – V. Secretary
  6. Mary Gakii - Treasurer

SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES

We have three SCCs, namely:

  1. St. Cyprian
  2. St. Cecilia
  3. St. Monica