The Vision Takes Shape
The Idea to construct a Cathedral was brought about by Rev. Fr. Ntaiya who was Fr. In charge Ngong Parish in the year 2004.By then the Cathedral was to be constructed at the Pro-Cathedral grounds but the Parish Council thwarted the Construction venue terming it will be very small hence efforts to look for an alternative land kicked on
The Olkejuado County council asked the Parish Council to surrender the Nursery school so as to be able to get a new land, the Council gave the church 15.5 acres of land which the school was allocated 11 acres and the church remained with 4.5 acres.
In the year 2004 an allotment letter was secured for the Land, and in the year 2005 a ground breaking ceremony for the Cathedral took place in Ngong Parish presided over by Bishop Emeritus Cornelius Schilder at Restore Hope grounds, but the committee saw it a need to pursue allocation of a new land for the Cathedral.
Groundbreaking and Early Hurdles
In the year 2004 an allotment letter was secured for the Land, and in the year 2005 a ground breaking ceremony for the Cathedral took place in Ngong Parish presided over by Bishop Emeritus Cornelius Schilder at Restore Hope grounds, but the committee saw it a need to pursue allocation of a new land for the Cathedral.
In the year 2007 a major Harambee was held at the Cathedral grounds with the invitation of the Late Kajiado North MP George Saitoti together with other dignitaries, the ground breaking ceremony took place and the Cathedral construction started.
God bless architect Mr. Mugo who designed the Cathedral and Quantity Surveyor Andrew Mandere who also surveyed the land.
Financial Challenges and Resource Mobilization
In the year 2010 the Cathedral Construction stalled due to lack of funds since the account went dry and also NEMA regulations, this was urgently resolved, and the Construction continued but at a slow pace.
The Cathedral construction was initially meant to cost 71 million, but it went a notch higher to cost Ksh 80 million.
Bishop Oballa saw a need for all Christians to come up and support the Cathedral construction, and through the Diocesan Finance Committee and other stakeholders they came up with an idea for each Christian to contribute Ksh 6,000 within six months. Which did not pick up well, the Bishop later proposed that each Christian to contribute Ksh 50,000 and their names were to be engraved in stones at the Cathedral. This took up very well, but there was a balance owed to the Constructor of Ksh 32 million which Bishop stroke a deal of paying the constructor Ksh 2 million every month.
It meant sleepless nights to the Bishop, who was wondering how he will be able to complete the Cathedral construction. A smile of relief came when Catholic Men Association from Nkoroi Parish came with the Idea of a walk towards raising funds for the Cathedral this was in the year 2013.
Collaboration and Community Support
Year 2014 saw different members from different Parishes coming together for the noble course they were "The Champions" and in May 31st 2014 a walk took place from St. Mary's Ongata Rongai to the Cathedral grounds raising Ksh 25 million Kudos to all who participated and all sponsors both corporate and individuals.
On August 31st 2014 St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral Parish marked its Golden Jubilee which also culminated with the Cathedral fund drive that saw Deputy President William Ruto grace the occasion with an entourage of dignitaries.
Gratitude and Recognition
The cathedral has had many challenges streaming from Land itself, the Construction and above all finances.
It is good to note the Cathedral for it to be completed as a Diocese we received donations from different donors in Europe and USA i.e. from Episcopal Conferences in many Arch Dioceses in Europe etc.
We cannot forget the role Cardinal played towards the championing for the Cathedral while as an administrator from year August 2009-April 2014.
We also laud the efforts made by all the Parishes of the Diocese towards raising funds for the completion of the Cathedral.
We Congratulate efforts by various committees which played a key part for this success, Ngong Parish Building committee, Diocesan Finance Committee, the Site Committee.
A Dream Fulfilled
In his book the mission to the Maasai Bishop Emeritus Colin Davies finishes his overview of the pastoral activities in Ngong Parish and Pro-Cathedral of St. Joseph the Worker in what I now quote, "The biggest challenge is to keep up the pastoral care of the Catholics, especially through sound Catechesis and involvement in Church activities. The building a larger and better Cathedral!"
All the Christians of Ngong Diocese will agree with Bishop Emeritus that this has been one of the biggest challenges. When I reported to Ngong Parish as Father in-charge five years ago, millions of shillings were needed to complete a cathedral that was not even halfway done. How we were to raise more than fifty million. And indeed, he knew because in his own way we have come this far.
Bishop Emeritus Cornelius Schilder who did the ground breaking and started the works of building the Cathedral, Cardinal John Njue who took over as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese, and made considerable progress in the building, and finally our Bishop Rt. Rev. John Oballa, who has brought the work to a happy completion, through difficult challenges and all the Christians of the Diocese we say a big thank you.
I wish to conclude my article like Bishop Emeritus by saying "And now comes another big challenge, building a father's house, landscaping and perimeter wall." I say again, "God knows".