Martin Kivuva: Why 11 is my magical number

The number 11 has acquired importance in the life of outgoing Machakos Catholic Diocese bishop Martin Kivuva. He considers it his lucky number.

He served at the Changamwe Parish, Mombasa for 11 years in his first posting as a priest.

Archbishop Kivuva later moved to Nairobi and worked for the church media, Ukweli Video Productions, again for 11 years.

The 63-year-old was later be moved to Machakos Diocese and after another 11 years, he is headed to Mombasa after Pope Francis appointed him the new archbishop.

“I have come to get used to the fact that I must start preparing for my next station on the eleventh year. I’m always on the edge in the 11th year in anticipation of my next assignment,” Archbishop Kivuva says.

“The 11th year is almost a signal to me that I am moving on to another place,” he says.

After 11 years in Machakos, Archbishop Kivuva is heading to Mombasa, a place he calls home away from home, having started his ministry here.

And when he formally takes over as the Archbishop of Mombasa Diocese on Saturday, it will be a second homecoming. He will be installed at the Tononoka grounds.

“In 2003, Pope Saint Paul II appointed me the Bishop of Machakos. That was after I had spent 11 years at Ukweli. And now, after another 11 years, Pope Francis has brought me back home away from home,” he remembers with nostalgia.

DEFENDED CELIBACY

Archbishop Kivuva, who was born on February 10, 1952, follows Catholic doctrines strictly. He has strongly come to defend celibacy.

In 2009 when some priests demanded that they be allowed to marry, Archbishop Kivuva remained firm, asking faithful to shun such priests.

The war on celibacy was led by Dr Daniel Kisomo who incidentally was from his Machakos Diocese.

“By continuing to sin with their suspension in place, the said priests have officially excommunicated themselves from the church,” he said in June 2009.

He once likened priests who were criticising the church to a passenger who becomes a nuisance to a point fellow travellers throw him out of the vehicle.

SEEDS OF PEACE

Archbishop Kivuva, who is celebrated among his Kamba community, has also not missed an opportunity to sow seeds of peace.

He led a meeting early last year to reconcile Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua and Senator Johnson Muthama. They two have been enemies since the 2013 polls.

“We have decided to come in as church leaders to bring political leaders together for the good of the region,” he told a meeting also attended by former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka in Machakos.

Archbishop Kivuva moves to Mombasa at a time the region is facing challenges, especially those related to radicalisation of youth blamed for increased terrorist attacks.

And to him, no religion should be linked to acts of terrorism or conflicts.

“Bad people are just bad, they don’t bear any religion,” the cleric said.

In July last year, he defended a move by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops to close down a Muslim-run restaurant at Waumini House, where their offices are located.

“This has nothing to do with the fact that owners of restaurant are Muslims. The restaurant meant too much human traffic within the building which can be a danger even to other businesses here,” he was quoted by the Washington Post.

ON THE MOVE

Archbishop Kivuva who has served the church for nearly four decades now has been on the move and has no issues with change.

However, it has not been easy for him to bid Machakos farewell since he announced his departure on December 9, 2014.

He held meetings with the church, journalists and finally with County Governor Dr Mutua on Wednesday.

(READ: Let’s reason together, says new Mombasa archbishop)

“The church is a missionary, and we are part of that component of the church. The life of a cleric is constantly on the move and we have to flow with that,” he said.

“With my departure, a new shepherd will come in. However, there will be no gap. Therefore, no one should worry or be anxious,” he said.

Under his watch, Machakos Diocese has grown from 41 parishes to 78.