Written by Philip Kitune
Inside the best performing university in Kenya with its unique motto of unitate et labore sits a well-protected monument, The papal dias.
When the late pope Francis had a visit to Kenya, there was a challenge of where he could deliver his homily to thousands of Christians.
There rose an urge to build a papal dias just a month to his visit.
The dais, designed by Tectura International, an international architectural and design firm, and constructed by Milicon’s Limited was used as a podium for the Pope’s address to thousands of Christians during his 2015 visit Kenya.
It made headlines since it was build in the shortest time possible. The eye-catching structure was designed and built within six weeks.
Constructed using concrete, steel, and timber, the dais provided a strong and elevated stage for the historic event.
Complementing the dais was a century-old altar, originally crafted in 1918 by missionary brothers at the Mathari Complex, a facility founded by the Consolata Missionaries.
Made from durable hardwood, the altar was one of the earliest of its kind and had previously been used during the beatification of Blessed Sister Nyaatha at Dedan Kimathi University before being brought to Nairobi for the papal mass.
President William Ruto met Pope Francis during G7 Summit in Italy.
He told the Pope that the University of Nairobi field and dias, where he held mass during his papal visit to Kenya in 2015, had been preserved.
In 2021, the Papal Dias at the university was declared as a national monument.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 25 (1) (d) of the National Museums and Heritage Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture, and Heritage declares the building specified in the Schedule, which she considers being of historical interest, to be a monument within the martial; of the Act,” said CS Amina.
The late pope held an open-air mass at the University of Nairobi (UoN) grounds, where an estimated 300,000 people gathered.
“Without decoration” Despite a heavy downpour, the faithful braved the rain, with some arriving the night before to secure a good spot. Pope Francis leads a mass at the Papal Dais.
In his sermon, Pope Francis spoke out against corruption, tribalism, inequality, and environmental destruction. The pontiff urged Kenyans to reject division and care for each other.
The sermon was held at the Papal Dais at the UoN and attended by several high-profile dignitaries, including former presidents Uhuru Kenyatta, Daniel arap Moi, and Mwai Kibaki, underscoring its significance.
Pope Francis was known for his humility, famously choosing to donate his KSh 4.1 million monthly salary to charitable causes and church initiatives.
He became the 266th pope in 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. At the time of his death, his net worth was estimated at approximately KSh 2.1 billion.
