- 17 January, 2025
Nakuru, Kenya, January 17, 2025: The Catholic Diocese of Nakuru in Kenya, through its migrant office, offers vital pastoral care to fishermen, their families, and those who work along the shores of Lake Naivasha and Lake Baringo. Sr. Margaret Mumbua, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Mombasa, has been leading this initiative since 2014. The project, inspired by the international Stella Maris Apostolate, provides spiritual, psychological, and practical support to people whose livelihoods are tied to the water.
Sr. Mumbua, who also serves as the Family Life and Migrants Coordinator for the Diocese of Nakuru, has been providing support for several years to a diverse group of migrants in Kenya. These include truck drivers, victims of human trafficking, and women in prostitution. Her involvement with the fishing community, however, has been especially meaningful.
“I started the ministry to the fishermen and associates in 2014,” Sr. Mumbua shared in an interview with Sr. Michelle Njeri OSF, the Director of the Communication Network for Catholic Sisters (CNCS), Kenya. “It was not an easy task, but it has brought great joy to me to serve at the peripheries of society,” she added.
The Diocese of Nakuru spans Nakuru and Baringo counties and encompasses 63 parishes, three of which are maritime. Sr. Mumbua’s ministry covers five beaches in Naivasha and other areas in Nakuru and Baringo counties. Sr. Mumbua and her team of volunteers, visit five beaches in the region, where they share the Gospel, celebrate Holy Mass, pray, and provide counselling. Among these, Karagita Beach in Naivasha stands out, as it hosts both the Deaf Fishermen Group and the Lake Naivasha Disabled Group. “We work with fishermen, their families, and the entire community around the beaches,” Sr. Mumbua said. “We also provide them with psychological and pastoral counselling to help them deal with the challenges they face in their daily lives.”
Jeremiah Mutiso, Chairman of Karagita Beach, praised the Church's efforts in supporting the fishermen belonging to the area. “We thank the Catholic Church for paying attention to the fishermen. Sr. Mumbua and her team come here, offer Mass, and even bless us,” he noted. Similarly, Zachariah Ngechu, Chairman of the Deaf Fishermen Group, expressed gratitude for the presence of Sr. Mumbua and the support from the Church. “They love us and bring prayers to our beach,” he said.
One of Sr. Mumbua’s key roles, as part of her ministry, includes assisting the fishermen with administrative tasks such as obtaining necessary documents and ensuring they understand their dignity as children of God. “Many have lost sight of their inherent dignity, especially due to time away from their families,” Sr. Mumbua explained. “I try to build their capacity and teach them life skills.”
Moreover, Sr. Mumbua also helps raise awareness about the importance of education. “Many fishermen lack formal education and don't support their children's schooling,” she shared. “We strive to inspire them to value education.”
The Catholic Diocese of Nakuru has a longstanding tradition of celebrating Mass at the beaches. “At times, the bishop leads the Mass, while on other occasions, priests preside,” shared Sr. Mumbua. “Following the Mass, we bless the fishermen's tools and the fish-selling points.”
When asked about her motivation for serving the fishermen and their families, Sr. Mumbua replied, saying, “I am a joyful religious sister working on the peripheries, as Pope Francis calls us to do. My love for God, coupled with the support of volunteers and the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru, inspires me. I thank God for this vocation within a vocation, serving fishermen and their communities. My ministry is one of presence.”
Courtesy: Vatican News
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