Auxiliary Bishop Wallace Ng'ang'a Gachihi has dedicated his life to the service of the Catholic Church, demonstrating unwavering commitment to pastoral care and leadership within the Archdiocese of Nairobi and beyond.
Early Life and Education
Born on March 26, 1973, in Gatundu, Kiambu County, Kenya, Wallace Ng'ang'a Gachihi is the firstborn in a family of seven children to Mr. Peter Gachihi Waitiki and Mrs. Lucy Njeri. He began his spiritual journey in 1996 at St. Mary's Molo Seminary for his spiritual year. He pursued philosophical studies at St. Augustine Major Seminary in Mabanga from 1997 to 1998 and theological studies at St. Matthias Mulumba Major Seminary in Eldoret from 1999 to 2003. Additionally, he holds a Master's degree in Pastoral Theology from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA).
Priestly Ministry
Ordained as a deacon on May 15, 2004, and as a priest on May 21, 2005, Bishop Ng'ang'a has served in various capacities within the Archdiocese of Nairobi. His assignments include:
- Deacon at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Githiga.
- Assistant Father-in-Charge at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Kiambu.
- Father-in-Charge at St. Peter the Apostle Kikuyu Parish.
- Assistant Parish Priest at Regina Caeli Parish, Karen, while pursuing further studies.
- Pastoral Coordinator of the Archdiocese of Nairobi, appointed on November 11, 2011, by Archbishop Emeritus John Cardinal Njue.
- Parish Priest at Christ the King Church, Embakasi.
- Father-in-Charge at Queen of Apostles Parish, Ruaraka.
His role as Pastoral Coordinator marked him as the first to hold this position within the Archdiocese, reflecting his leadership and dedication to pastoral activities.
Episcopal Appointment and Service
On February 13, 2024, Pope Francis appointed Rev. Fr. Wallace Ng'ang'a Gachihi as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Nairobi. He was consecrated and installed as bishop on April 6, 2024, by Archbishop Hubertus Matheus Maria van Megen, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya. In his role as Auxiliary Bishop, he assisted Archbishop Philip Arnold Subira Anyolo in overseeing the pastoral and administrative needs of the Archdiocese.
Appointment as Bishop of the Military Ordinariate
Demonstrating his continued commitment to serving diverse communities within the Church, Bishop Ng'ang'a was appointed by Pope Francis as the Bishop of the Military Ordinariate of Kenya on August 15, 2024. He was installed as the third Bishop of the Military Ordinariate on October 12, 2024, succeeding Bishop Alfred Kipkoech Arap Rotich. In this capacity, Bishop Ng'ang'a provides spiritual guidance and pastoral care to Catholic members of the Kenyan Defense Forces and their families.