CWAK elects new national leaders, urged to embrace servant leadership

By Rose Achiego Ande

The Catholic Women Association of Kenya (CWAK) has elected new national leaders with a call to embrace leadership as a vocation of service, humility and commitment to the mission of the Church.

The elections were held from 20th to 22nd August 2026 during a national leadership formation, elections, handover and commissioning meeting convened by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) through the Commission for Pastoral and Lay Apostolate. The gathering brought together Catholic women leaders and diocesan representatives for prayer, reflection, discernment, leadership formation and elections.

Veronica Gitahi of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa was elected the new National Moderator, taking over from Monica Muchangi of the Catholic Diocese of Embu.

Meanwhile, Olga Too of the Catholic Diocese of Kapsabet was elected National Vice Moderator, succeeding Rose Awiti. Ann Mburu of the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru was elected National Secretary, replacing Linda Obwaka of the Archdiocese of Mombasa. Elizabeth Gatwiri of the Catholic Diocese of Meru, who emerged as first runner-up for the Secretary position, automatically took up the position of Vice Secretary.

For the position of National Treasurer, Priscilla Muna of the Catholic Diocese of Murang’a was elected to succeed Goretti Gicheha of the Archdiocese of Nairobi.

The new leadership takes office at a time when the association is placing renewed emphasis on synodality, servant leadership, unity and greater participation of Catholic women in the mission of the Church.

Leadership is Service

Speaking during Holy Mass on the second day of the gathering, Vice Chairman of the Commission for Pastoral and Lay Apostolate, Rt. Rev. Wallace Ng’ang’a,  reminded the Catholic women that leadership in the Church is a vocation to serve rather than an avenue for power or personal advancement.

Drawing inspiration from the feast of St. Pius, Bishop Ng’ang’a urged the women to serve wholeheartedly and in good faith, cautioning them against allowing Church leadership to become political in nature.

Instead, he called on those entrusted with leadership to work for God and His people with humility, integrity and commitment. Therefore, he urged the participants to place the mission of the Church above personal interests and ambitions.

The Bishop also emphasized fairness, transparency, eligibility and representation in the election process. He noted that anyone who had already served two terms at the national level would not be eligible for another term. Majority voting and rotational representation among the metros were also taken into consideration.

Synodality at the Heart of Leadership

Following the elections, the participants underwent leadership formation on synodality and servant leadership, facilitated by Rev. Fr. Dr. Kyara Corbinian.

The session emphasized that synodality calls the Church to listen to one another, encounter one another, engage in dialogue, discern together and journey under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. However, the participants were reminded that synodality goes beyond meetings and consultations; it calls for a culture of listening, participation, dialogue and communal discernment.

In addition, the formation underscored that Christian leadership is fundamentally about service. A servant leader does not primarily seek power, recognition or personal advantage but instead asks, “How can I serve others?”

Consequently, the leaders were encouraged to make themselves available for the service of God, the Church and the community. They were urged to place the needs of others before personal interests, listen to those they lead, encourage and support others, promote the common good and keep the mission of the Church at the centre of their leadership.

The formation further challenged the women to make a daily examination of their leadership by asking themselves: “Whom have I served today?” The question was presented as a means of helping leaders examine whether their service is genuinely benefiting others or is driven by the pursuit of personal recognition.

The participants were also reminded that leadership is not limited to those who hold official positions. Rather, leadership is demonstrated through behaviour, actions, influence and willingness to serve. A leader’s values, therefore, must be visible through her actions.

Mary as a Model of Servant Leadership

The Blessed Virgin Mary was presented as a model of servant leadership for Catholic women called to serve in the Church.

The formation highlighted Mary’s willingness to listen to God’s call, accept His will and make herself available for His mission. Therefore, the women were encouraged to emulate her humility, faith and openness to God’s plan in carrying out their responsibilities.

Moreover, the participants were reminded that holding an office does not automatically make someone a good leader. Authentic leadership is demonstrated through how one treats others, listens, makes decisions, handles responsibility, responds to challenges, serves the community and promotes unity.

The afternoon formation further explored collaborative servant leadership, emotional intelligence and active listening. Participants were encouraged to identify and develop leadership gifts and talents, support others in discernment and empower the gifts of the entire community.

Leadership Handover and Commissioning

Following the elections and formation, the new leadership formally took over during a handover ceremony that included administrative and financial reports from the outgoing officials.

Outgoing National Moderator Monica Muchangi presented an administrative report covering the CWAK office, assets and ongoing matters, while outgoing Vice Moderator Rose Awiti encouraged the new leaders to “think big.” National Treasurer Goretti Gicheha presented the financial report and expressed appreciation for the service rendered during the outgoing leadership’s tenure.

The transition was followed by the commissioning of the new leaders during Holy Mass celebrated by Auxilary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi Rt. Rev.  Obed Karobia on the Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In his homily, Bishop Karobia reminded the newly elected leaders that Christian leadership requires preparedness, humility and a clear understanding of the responsibility entrusted to them. Reflecting on the Queenship of Mary, he encouraged them to emulate her prayerfulness, humility and willingness to ponder and discern God’s will.

Unlike leadership models centred on power and status, the Bishop emphasized that Christian leadership is servant leadership. He therefore called on the new leaders to serve from the heart, remain faithful to their responsibilities and draw inspiration from their patron saint, St. Monica, particularly in prayer, perseverance and service.

The newly elected leaders were subsequently commissioned in the presence of the outgoing leaders and diocesan elected members. Bishop Karobia explained that commissioning signifies being sent on a mission, just as Jesus sent His disciples.

The leaders were therefore entrusted with the mission to proclaim the Gospel, serve faithfully and humbly, remain people of prayer and persevere in doing good. The outgoing leaders were also appreciated and presented with certificates of recognition for their service to the association.

As the new national leadership begins its mandate, the formation and commissioning have placed before it a clear call to lead through prayer, listening, discernment, collaboration and humble service.

The leaders are therefore expected to strengthen unity and participation within CWAK while remaining faithful to the mission of the Catholic Church in Kenya.

Ultimately, their leadership will not be measured merely by the offices they occupy, but by the lives they touch, the unity they foster and the service they offer to God and His people. As the formation reminded them, the enduring question for every Christian leader remains: “Whom have I served today?”