Retired Catholic Archbishop Ndingi Mwana ‘a Nzeki has died aged 89 after a long illness.
The church published the announcement on the Archidiocese of Nairobi Facebook page on Tuesday morning, March 31.
“A sombre morning as His Eminence John Cardinal Njue has announced the passing on of His Grace Archbishop Emeritus Raphael Ndingi Mwana a’Nzeki. Let us pray for the repose of his soul,” said the Catholic Church.
Retired Archbishop Mwana ‘a Nzeki was a fearless leader and one of the most well-known church leaders in the nation.
Ndingi entered the national limelight for his opposition to Kanu government’s policy that forced voters to queue or line up behind their candidate in the 1988 elections.
Four years later, Ndingi was again in the limelight for supporting the victims of tribal clashes in Rift Valley.
The archbishop served the church for many years, nearly four decades, in various capacities, having started as a parish priest, then as Bishop of Machakos from 1969. He was later elevated to the rank of archbishop.
Opposition politician Raila Odinga was among the first leaders to mourn the passing of the retired archbishop.
