By Bonface Mulyungi
As the Catholic Diocese of Kitui counts down to the priestly ordination of twelve deacons on 27 June 2026, families, parish communities, and faithful across the diocese have been celebrating a cherished tradition that is as much about faith as it is about family.
Over the past weeks, Christians from various parishes have gathered at the homes of the deacons for the Nthoki, popularly known as Kwitya Mwana, ceremonies—a unique and deeply emotional tradition that has become a defining feature of the Diocese of Kitui.
Today’s celebrations culminated in visits to the homes of Deacon Charles Munyoki of Mulutu Parish, Deacon Benedict Mathina of Ikanga Parish, and Deacon Gabriel Kamali of Boma Parish.
For many parents, Kwitya Mwana is one of the most emotional moments in the life of their family. It is a time to reflect on years of sacrifice, prayer, and hope as they prepare to offer their son to the service of God and His people.
During the celebrations, parents bless their sons in a gesture that mirrors traditional blessings given during marriage ceremonies. Yet unlike a marriage rite, the blessing symbolizes a family’s support and affirmation of a vocation that calls a son beyond the boundaries of his own home to become a shepherd of the wider Christian community.
This year’s celebrations also carried a profound sense of remembrance.
In a touching gesture of solidarity, Christians from Kasyala, Kamutei, Mutune, Nguutani, and Nguni Parishes visited the family of the late Deacon Dennis, who tragically lost his life in a road accident on 23 January 2026 before he could realize his dream of priestly ordination.
The visitation ceremony was held at St. John’s Kauma Catholic Church, where Holy Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Bernard Masila, Father-in-Charge of Mutune Parish. For many present, it was a moment of both sorrow and gratitude—a reminder that vocation is not measured only by ordination but by the generosity with which one responds to God’s call.
The story of Kwitya Mwana itself is remarkable. The tradition began in 1974 when the Diocese of Kitui had only two indigenous priests. Church leaders recognized the need to promote vocations and help local communities better understand the meaning and importance of the priesthood.
More than five decades later, the fruits of that vision are clearly visible. The Diocese now has 100 diocesan priests, 14 deacons, and 65 seminarians preparing for future ministry. Many attribute this growth, in part, to the powerful witness created by Kwitya Mwana, which brings the vocation story closer to ordinary families and communities.
What makes the celebration particularly unique is the way it harmoniously blends Catholic faith with the rich cultural heritage of the Akamba people. Rather than separating faith from culture, the tradition demonstrates how the Gospel can take root within local customs, creating expressions of faith that are both authentically Christian and authentically African.
As the Diocese prepares for the ordination ceremony at St. Charles Lwanga Secondary School, where twelve deacons will be ordained priests and eight acolytes will be ordained deacons, the atmosphere across Kitui is one of gratitude and anticipation.
For the deacons, the journey to ordination represents years of formation, prayer, and discernment. For their families, it is the culmination of a long and often demanding path. For the Church, it is a moment of renewal and hope.
And for the people of Kitui, Kwitya Mwana remains more than a ceremony. It is a celebration of faith passed from one generation to another, a testimony to the power of community, and a reminder that every vocation is born within the love, prayers, and sacrifices of families who dare to entrust their children to God’s service.
