[ACNS, by Gavin Drake] The Archbishop of Kenya, Dr Eliud Wabukala, presided at a “farewell” Eucharist at All Saints’ Cathedral in Nairobi yesterday (Sunday) ahead of his formal retirement on 26 June. Dr Wabukala, who has served as the Province’s Primate for seven years, received warm plaudits for his ministry and his fight against corruption as chairman of the National Anti-Corruption Campaign Steering Committee.

Later, speaking to KTN News, he called for a restoration of trust in the country as it heads towards a General Election next year.

“Now is the time to put down, put away, all that holds us back,” he said. “For Kenyans, we want to say that there is hope in restoring everything that we think is lost. There is a great hope to bring back trust between families, trust between individuals. We need to bring trust back to the institutions that have been formed to run this society.

“I particularly would appeal to all of us to bring trust to the electoral commission and also ask that people given the responsibility to run the elections of this country: work hard and also bring trust to their work.”

Archbishop Eliud Wabukala succeeded Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi, when he was elected to serve as the fifth Primate of the Anglican Church in Kenya in April 2009.

“I want to thank all the Anglicans in the whole country for standing with me for the seven years I have been in this position,” he told the Star newspaper. “Women, men, children, bishops and all the church leaders you were dear to me.

“I am praying for this country, the leaders and politician, some of whom I have worked with and I will continue working with, that they steer this county with wisdom. I pray for peaceful elections next year.”

Six bishops are standing in the election to become the seventh Archbishop of Kenya: Joseph Masamba, of Mbeere; James Kenneth Ochiel, of Southern Nyanza; Joel Waweru, of Nairobi; Lawrence Kavutsu Dena, of Malindi; Jackson Nasoore Ole Sapit, of Kericho; and Julius N Wanyoike, of Thika. The election will take place on 20 May.