Kenya – Comboni Lay Missionaries

CLM Kenya annual assembly 2026

6 February, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

In peace and joy.

The annual assembly of CLM Kenya was held from the 8th to the 11th of January. On Thursday, CLM members and candidates arrived to begin a time of meeting, prayer, and reflection.

The assembly began with a short reflection led by Alberto de la Portilla, which helped introduce us to the spirit of the gathering and focus on our mission and responsibilities. This was followed by an evaluation of the year 2025 according to the different huduma (i.e. in swahili, groups in charge of different “services”, like communications, formation, etc), as well as a presentation of the roles and responsibilities of both the outgoing and new huduma, which helped us better understand the tasks and services within our community.

Another point on the program was the reading and amendment of the charter of CLM Kenya. Working in groups according to each huduma, we also undertook planning for the year 2026, sharing ideas, experiences, and expectations for the future.

After the presentation of the plans for 2026, we had a social evening that took place in an atmosphere of joy, mutual kindness, and fraternal community. It was a moment of strengthening relationships and sharing ourselves in a simple and warm way.

At the conclusion of the assembly, a final presentation and evaluation of the entire meeting took place. Father Maciej led the closing prayer and gave us his blessing, strengthening us for our continued journey of service and mission. After this spiritual conclusion, we all returned to our respective communities, enriched by the shared time and experience.

CLM Kenya

Missionary Sending Mass for Veronicah Neema

4 February, 2026 by Alberto de la Portilla

On February 1st, at St. John Baptist Parish in Riruta, Nairobi, a solemn Holy Mass was celebrated during which the missionary sending of our Kenyan CLM, Veronicah Neema Makori, took place. The liturgy was presided over by Fr. David Ahiro, MCCJ, who, on behalf of the Church community, imparted the blessing to Neema.

During this solemn celebration, the missionary was officially sent to undertake her missionary service in the Central African Republic, precisely in Mongoumba, where one of our international CLM communities is operating. It was a moment of deep prayer, gratitude, and joy for the gift of vocation with which God continues to bless His Church. The parish community, gathered for the Eucharist, expressed its unity by surrounding the missionary with heartfelt prayer and spiritual support.

The faithful prayed for God’s abundant graces upon Veronicah Neema Makori, asking for the light of the Holy Spirit, strength and wisdom in facing daily challenges, and protection on her path of service to the Church and to the people to whom she is sent. This celebration was also a testimony to the living faith and missionary commitment of St. John Baptist Parish in Riruta.

May the Holy Spirit continually strengthen her, and may Christ—the Supreme Missionary—guide and accompany her each day on her missionary journey.

CLM Kenya

Second CLM community in Kenya: a dream come true!

21 November, 2025 by Alberto de la Portilla

Sunday the 16 November 2025, what a historic day! It’s the beginning of a new adventure for us CLM here in Kenya, as on this day we opened a second community in Chelopoy, West Pokot!

We are so grateful to all those who made it happen: our “ancestor” (as we fondly call him), fr. Maciek Zielinski, the MCCJ provincial of Kenya, fr. Andrew Wanjohi, the CLM of Kenya and all the CLM!

The members of the new community are: Mercy Lodikai (from Kenya), Giulia Lampo (from Italy) and Iza Tobiasiewicz (from Poland). Round of applause, please!!! These three pioneers are ready to start serving in the area of Chelopoy, and will probably join the community of Kitelakapel in the Life Skills project, expanding it to the schools in their area, while also collaborating with the local dispensary, run by the Franciscan sisters of St. Joseph – Asumbi. They will also engage in pastoral activities, of course. For now, the plan is for them to take their time to settle in and get to know the place and the people, create bonds of friendship and get to know their culture, their situation, their needs.

On their very first day, as we celebrated the opening of the community and the works of renovation in the house they’ll be using, they were received with great warmth and joy by the local people. We, the community of Kitelakapel, accompanied them, and we were blessed by the presence of our dear fr. Maciek, our equally dear MCCJ provincial, fr. Andrew, the parish priest (fr. Philip Andruga) and Comboni sisters of Amakuriat (the parish to which the new community belongs), and even two representatives of the CLM of Uganda, the very coordinator Beatrice Akite, and treasurer, Asege Teddy, accompanied by two Italian volunteers and a local member of Kalya peace village, Uganda.

The Mass was lively and participated, so well animated by the local people, who gave us all some gifts and made us feel at home from the very beginning. The provincial then proceeded to blessing the house and then we all had something to eat. It was a simple but lovely moment of celebration.

As usual, starting a new community in a new place is not something easy. It requires a lot of patience, humility and ability to adjust. However, our friends are not alone! They have the Franciscan sisters as caring neighbours, local families and church members as their new friends and new extended family, and the fathers and sisters from Amakuriat as a strong source of emotional and practical support. Not to forget us, the community of Kitelakapel, who are also so happy to have them as our “neighbours” in West Pokot! Together we will walk on this journey, grow, support each other, and do wonderful things! And of course, all this is possible only with the broader support of all CLM, the whole Comboni family and all those who believe in us!

So, thank you all! Keep being with us in prayer, and stay tuned!

Linda Micheletti, CLM Kitelakapel, Kenya

Bright Smiles in Mikinduri

4 November, 2025 by Alberto de la Portilla

At the parish of Mikinduri, together with Belinda, we organized an educational and fun workshop on proper tooth brushing.

The event was attended by as many as 160 children!

Thanks to the support of donors from Poland, the children were able not only to learn how to take care of their teeth but also to have a wonderful time.

During the session, we talked about healthy and harmful foods, sang songs, and the children each drew one product that is good for their teeth and one that is bad.

At the end, every child received a toothbrush and toothpaste, and I demonstrated the correct brushing technique.

It was a beautiful meeting full of learning, smiles, and kindness.

Iza Tobiasiewicz, CLM in Kenya

Silent Retreat – A Time of Encounter with God and with Ourselves

29 October, 2025 by Alberto de la Portilla

From October 15th to 21st, our CLM members experienced a truly special silent retreat at Napenda Kuishi in Nairobi. It was a week filled with deep spiritual experiences, inner reflection, and encounters with God, with ourselves, and with the community. The retreat was led by Father Daniel Villaverde, who guided us through this time of prayer, reflection, and discovery of the spirituality of Saint Daniel Comboni.

Each day of the retreat followed a gentle rhythm: morning prayer, the Eucharist, inputs from fr. Daniel on human aspect, catechesis and Comboni’s spirituality, and personal time for meditation and adoration. The silence that accompanied us throughout the week became a sacred space where we could hear God’s voice more clearly and look more deeply into our own lives.

During the retreat, we had the opportunity to delve in the missionary spirituality of Saint Daniel Comboni – a man who dedicated his entire life to proclaiming the Gospel and serving others. His example teaches us that true mission stems from a personal encounter with Christ and from love for our brothers and sisters.

In silence and prayer, each of us experienced profound inner spiritual moments – times of emotion, discovery, gratitude, and peace. It was a period when we could allow God to speak to us without hurry and without distraction.

At the end of the retreat, we shared our personal experiences with one another. Although silence had accompanied us most of the week, it was precisely during these moments of sharing that we came to know one another more deeply and truthfully – through heartfelt testimonies that touched our hearts.

We return from this retreat with renewed strength, peace in our hearts, and a desire to live more consciously – in a spirit of trust, simplicity, and missionary commitment. We thank Father Daniel for his spiritual guidance and all the participants for their openness and companionship on this journey of silence and prayer.

“In silence, God speaks the loudest.”

Iza Tobiasiewicz, CLM Kenya