St. Luigi Orione Parish, Gaitu
The first parish in Kenya under the patronage of our Founder — and the home of the Congregation’s first health apostolate in the country.
The parish
St. Luigi Orione Parish stands at Gaitu, in the Diocese of Meru, on the slopes below Mount Kenya. It was entrusted to the Orionines in 2019; the church was consecrated and the parish officially opened on 12 June 2022 by Bishop Salesius Mugambi. It is the first parish in Kenya to bear the name of our Founder.
The parish was born from the mother churches of Nkabune and Chaaria. Its community numbers four religious — three priests and one brother — and its first parish priest was Fr. Maurice Mawira.
Our works
Orione Mission Afya Care Centre — a dispensary
Dispensary
The centre is a dispensary, opened on 5 July 2025: the first health apostolate of the Congregation in Kenya. It offers general consultation, minor surgery, maternal and child health, and antenatal and postnatal care. Its staff includes a clinical officer, a nurse and support personnel; a laboratory is planned.
Afya means health. For a family that had been measuring distance to the nearest clinic in hours, the word is not abstract.
They do not care only for the spirit but also for the body: they are missionaries through and through.
A parishioner of GaituThe community
- Religious community
- 4 religious — 3 priests and 1 brother
- Local director
- Fr. Peter Wambulwa Wakoba
- Origins
- Born from the mother churches of Nkabune and Chaaria
- Opened
- 12 June 2022, by Bishop Salesius Mugambi
- Works
- Orione Mission Afya Care Centre (dispensary) — opened 5 July 2025
Photo gallery
Support & contact
The Afya Care Centre is young. A laboratory is planned, and the queue outside is not waiting for it patiently. Support and partnership are welcome.