COMMEMORATING FR. KAISER’S 24TH ANNIVERSARY
Kenyan leaders have been urged to renew their commitment to eradicating corruption and addressing the plight of ordinary citizens. This call was made during the 24th anniversary of Fr. Anthony Kaiser, held on Saturday 24th August 2024 at St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in South C, Nairobi. The event, organized by the Archdiocesan Catholic Justice and Peace Department (CJPD), featured a memorial Mass, a public procession, and speeches highlighting Fr. Kaiser’s legacy and the urgent need for justice and good governance in Kenya.
Fr. Anthony Kaiser, a Mill Hill Missionary priest from Perham, Minnesota, USA, was assassinated for his relentless fight for justice and defense of the oppressed. He was found dead in Morendet along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway in August 2000, a tragic end to his unwavering commitment to defending the poor and marginalized. While serving in Nyangusu, Kisii County, Fr. Kaiser earned the nickname “Kifaru” (Swahili for rhinoceros) for his tenacious and fearless advocacy for human rights.
This year’s commemoration began with a procession from Nyayo Stadium to St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish, where participants sang and prayed in Fr. Kaiser’s honor. CJPD members from across the Archdiocese of Nairobi turned up in large numbers to mark the occasion. The theme for this year’s event was “Embracing a Culture of Listening for a Just Nation.”
During the memorial, a statement from the Archdiocesan CJPD office emphasized the need for policy changes to protect citizens from rising cost of living and over-taxation. “Policies must be enacted to protect ordinary citizens from the rising cost of living and the burden of over-taxation,” the statement read.
The guest speaker, Mr. Charles Kanjama, an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, urged the church community to lead in seeking justice within their homes and society at large. Echoing his sentiments, the KCCB Catholic Justice and Peace Department reinforced the call to embrace justice and equality as core values for nation-building.
The event not only honored the life and legacy of Fr. Kaiser but also served as a reminder of the collective responsibility to pursue justice and advocate for the marginalized in society.
