The community of Augustinian Recollect nuns of Kenya, since they arrived in the country on 26 July 2006, have been living in expectant waiting. From the beginning they have been residing in a house at the parish compound in Masii town, but they have taken steps in the construction of a new convent by buying a lot in Wote (Makueni), preparing the project and building it.

Transfer to the new convent

Although not everything is finished yet, the contemplative community transferred to their new convent in Wote last May 4, solemnity of the Lord’s Ascension. The official inauguration is slated for this coming 4th of September, feast of Our Lady of Consolation, patroness of the newly inaugurated convent.

Difficulties are gradually being overcome. After three failed attempts, the fourth well has finally produced water, but it is located two and a half kilometers from the convent and underground pipes had to be laid. Electricity is another project that the nuns hope to achieve soon. All the negotiations have been done and the nuns have been assured that the transformer will be set up soon. Meanwhile, they had to install a generator, with the resulting higher cost. The crisis that Kenya went through delayed the works, but everything is once more coming back to normal.

Worries about the riots

The community is presently composed of three nuns and 13 postulants, of which 7 are expected to don the habit in May.

The nuns lived the period of riots in Kenya with concern and suffering. On 12 April, they wrote us: “There were moments for everything: fear, concern, worry… we live in the most peaceful zone, which is in Machakos-Masii, a small solitary town in the mountains. This area is inhabited by the Camba tribe. Those who are fighting among themselves are the Kikuyos and the Luos… We were at the point of leaving for Spain. The Spanish Embassy phoned us three or four times, and even assigned us to a hotel at the outskirts of Nairobi where we could go if we have to leave the country should a red alert be declared, but to date, thanks God, it has not been necessary”.

It was clear to us that we would not leave the country. We told the girls they could go back to their houses, but they refused. They said that if we left the place, they would wait here until our return. Now, everything is back to normal, although the authorities have not yet reached agreement and there still acts of violence. Some days ago we heard the news that in the area of Eldoret, where the refugees have gone to, there have already been 50 dead and hundreds sick of cholera, which is not surprising, given the deficient nourishment and the inhuman conditions they live in”.

The convent and the community

The lot where the new convent is located has an area of 4 hectares. The building with the church occupies 42 square meters sideways and can accommodate 27 nuns. The property is large and there is space for an orchard and for raising animals.

The community is presently composed of three nuns and 13 postulants, of which 7 are expected to don the habit in May. There are also 6 aspirants, who are waiting for the construction of the convent to be finished to have a live-in experience. In the month of April, Fr. Jesús Lanao, assistant of the nuns, was with the community. He gave classes to the postulants and aspirants.