In the late 1976 Umoja residents started living in a new beautiful estate in
Eastland’s. The estate was inhabited by majority of young people.
Many Catholic Christians who lived in this estate used to attend the Sunday
masses either in Jericho, Buru Buru phase 1 or Kariobangi Churches depending on
where one was living earlier. Jericho and Buru Buru Churches were under
MaryKnoll Fathers while Holy Trinity Parish Kariobangi was under Verona Fathers.
In mid-1977 Verona Fathers considered it as one of the outstations of Kariobangi
Parish to add to Embakasi outstations which had started earlier than Umoja
(Umoja developed faster).
In the year 1977 Rev. Fr. Romeo with some Christians Mrs. Maina and Mr. Lazarus
Maigwa to mention a few invited catholic Christian Community through a written
message, which was dropped in every house. This exercise was carried for two
weeks. A few Catholic Christians responded to the invitation and the first Mass
was celebrated at Umoja Primary School in one of the classrooms. This continued
for a couple of Sundays. Unfortunately other denominations in realizing that the
Catholic Christians were permitted to celebrate mass in the school also came in
to do the same.
It was at this time that the authority refused us to use the classrooms for Sunday
Mass, but they gave an alternative place in the compound that is the car shed of
the estate developers this was almost at the end of 1977 and the beginning of
1978. During this period Rev. Fr. Romeo had submitted an application form for a
plot for the Catholic Church Community Centre. There was a delay in obtaining
the allocation letter for the plot.
At one time Rev. Fr. Romeo sent one of the altar boys (Gabriel Mubgua) to bury a
miraculous medal of the Virgin Mary in the plot applied for and he said “Let us see
whether Jesus Christ son of Mary will let the rain fall on His Mother’s Image”
Surprisingly we were allocated the plot and constructed an Iron sheet Church to
avoid the rain falling on the image, this was a miracle. The same year 1978 the
first sub-parish was formed to start the construction of the church building.

Mr. Lazarus Maigua became the first Chairman, Mr. Michael Munyi his ViceChairman and Mrs. Maina the secretary while Mr. Kamanda was the treasurer
under the supervision of Rev. Fr. Romeo.
In the year 1979, plans to build the first permanent Church started and by the
year 1980 the construction had tremendously progressed, we celebrated the
Solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord (Christmas) that year in the Main Church.
In 1981, a raffle was held in aid of raising funds for the construction and
thereafter the Rev. Fr. Romeo was transferred from Umoja. Before leaving he left
us with these words “if there shall be an ordination of any of your sons, I shall attend
wherever I am”
After Rev. Fr. Romeo the Umoja Church was placed under Rev. Fr. Bellusi by
Father in-charge, Kariobangi parish Rev. Fr. Joseph Gardner, who later completed
the Church buildings.
In 1982 a Nursery School was started under Rev. Fr. Joseph Gardner. In the same
year the second Pastoral Council was elected. Mr. Waswa was elected the
Chairman, Thomas Mbobua the Vice-Chairman, Michael Munyi the Secretary and
Joseph Muranga the Treasurer.
In 1983, Umoja Catholic Church became a parish and was given the name
Assumption of Mary (In honor of mother mary for listening to our plea when we buried the
miraculous medal) under the MaryKnoll Fathers. With it were the outstations Christ
the King Embakasi and St. Jude Donholm. The Father in-Charge was Rev. Fr.
Walter Garrision others with him were Rev. Fr. Robert Jerbert of Embakasi out
station (under Umoja) Parish and Rev. Fr. Thomas Keaf. The same year Rev. Fr.
Thomas Keaf left, and Rev. Fr. Walter became father in charge. After the death
Rev. Fr. Walter Garrision in 1984, the Parish was entrusted to Rev. Fr. Joseph
Reinhart. After him Rev. Fr. Robert Vujs was approved as Father in-Charge of the
Parish. Under him the Parish witnessed a tremendous growth e.g. the parish
priests house was built, the main Church wing was extended, and the Chapel
constructed. He obtained the plots where Brothers at CMM and Sisters of MMS
are and also built the C.D.P school. After accomplishing the construction
In the year 1990, the Church was placed under Rev. Fr. George Eagan asthe Parish
Priest with him was Rev. Fr. Lawrence Magesa, Rev. Fr. Phillip Marcus and Rev.
Fr. Francis Kariuki.
In the year 1994 Rev. Fr. George Eagan left and Rev. Fr. Edward Phillips who had
earlier accompanied Rev. Fr. Thomas at Embakasi outstation and Rev. Fr. Phillip
Marcus at Umoja took over as parish priest.
On 29th June 1997 Rev. Fr. Edward Philips was transferred to Kenyatta university,
while Rev. Fr. Thomas of Embakasi outstation left and went back home and Rev.
Fr. Phillip Marcus retired.
On the same date 29th June 1997 Assumption of Mary Umoja Parish was placed
under the Arch diocese of Nairobi with Fr. Michael Komu appointed as the Parish
Priest assisted by Fr. Anselim Kamuyu.
On 1s* July 1997 Embakasi out station became a Parish under the Missionary
Priests. At the same time most of what were our outstations like A.P.T.C Donholm
and Embakasi were upgraded to parishes.
In June 2007 Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Kariuki took over as the Parish Priest. Over the
years this parish has continued to grow tremendously. We have seen a lot of
growth in terms of Christian Population. In this regard therefore the small
Christian communities (Jumuiyas) now stand at 87. Consequently, the need to
cater for adequate spiritual growth for the increasing population has brought
about the birth of two outstations, namely St. Veronica — Umoja II and St.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta – Tena.
Over the years a Multi-Purpose Hall was built to cater for various needs of our
Christians. We have two primary Schools at Assumption and at Tena equipped
with Buses. Through the initiation and enormous support of our various Parish
Priests. The Church has successful developments which include, sinking of the
bore hole to cater for the increasing water requirements, we have increased the
capacity of our church in phases where current setup we can cater for over 5000
Christians, the extension of the Priest house and the Parish Office through the
central Parish Finance and Development Committee. Procurement of a
generator, paving of the Church compound, putting up a perimeter wall around
the Church territorial boundary, construction of adoration Chapel and coming up
with a Medical Centre and a modern school, we are still developing a website for
the church to be visible for our christians
In conclusion we sincerely thank Parish Priest and his assistant for the rapid
growth both spiritual and physical at our Parish for without co-operation no goals
would have been achieved. Our Christians are very enthusiastic in participation in
the church activities when called upon.
May our Blessed Virgin Mary the Patron of our parish continue to pray for us and to intercede in all oursituations to make them peaceful and joyous — Amen.