MACHAKOS DIOCESE INFORMATION
The Diocese of Machakos was one of the largest in Kenya until July 22, 2023 when the Holy Father Pope Francis created Wote Diocese by carving out Makueni County from Machakos Diocese. The Machakos Diocese now has a population of 1,421,932 of which 610,150 are Catholic. It has 117 diocesan priests and 22 religious priests. Though smaller in size, Machakos Diocese has evangelization challenges as only 42.9% of the population is catholic.
The Diocese also faces humanitarian challenges as over 50% is semi-arid with low and unreliable annual rainfall. Drought, famine & poverty are challenges faced by much of the population, since they depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Human disasters such as famine, malnutrition, high maternal and child mortalities, HIV/Aids, water-borne diseases are common scourges that negatively impact the population.
Because of the prayers and past support of Catholics in the United States, the church in Machakos has made a positive impact in the lives of the people including:
- Operating 2 hospitals and over 20 clinics/dispensaries.
- Drilling of wells and provision of storage tanks to provide clean water.
- Supporting “mother child health” programs.
- Maintaining 21 group homes for disabled children.
- Maintaining 4 orphanages for children orphaned by HIV/Aids.
- Supporting rehabilitation programs for street children.
- Providing support on improved agricultural practices.
- Established a primary school for orphans and other needy children.
Purposes for 2026 MCP Appeal Donations
- Support to evangelize since only 42.9% are catholic
- Priests in formation, catechists and lay catholic leaders.
- Support “mother child health” program to reduce maternal and child mortalities
- Provide potable water for domestic use and reduce water-borne diseases.
- Support humanitarian effort of providing famine relief food to starving families.
- Support the adoption of improved agricultural methods to increase food production and eliminate famine relief.
- Support orphanages, group homes and orphans at the Uganda Martyrs Home
- Provide school fees for needy students from poor families.