The Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Gideon G. Githiga and the vicar general, Ven. Canon David Njoroge outside the diocesan office after a diocesan fundraising service on 11th June 2007 On the Right is the Current Administrative Secretary, Rev. Stephen Nduati.

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Gideon G. Githiga was consecrated on January 31, 1999. He is the first Bishop of the Diocese.

He holds a Bachelor of Divinity degree from St. Paul’s United Theological College, Limuru (1980), a Masters degree in Sacred Theology from General Theological Seminary, New York City (1984), and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the Open University in the United Kingdom Ph.D (1997).

Other responsibilities

1. Chair of the Provincial Board of Education and Training in the Anglican Church of Kenya.
2. Member of the Governing Council of St. Paul’s United Theological College
3. Member of the Central Province – Education Board among others.

Before he became the Bishop of Thika, he taught African Church History and Missiology at the St. Paul’s Theological College Limuru. Bishop Githiga is the author of ‘The Church as the Bulwark Against Authoritarianism: The Church and the State Relations in Kenya since 1963 – 1992’ which details the contribution of the church in the democratisation process in Kenya. He has presented (various occasions) papers on topical theological issues.

Excerpts of the Bishop Githiga’s charge on his Consecration and Enthronement

… on being elected the first Bishop of Thika……
I would sincerely like to thank the members of the Electoral College for nominating me, and subsequently electing me as the first Bishop of Thika. This makes me feel so humble before them and before God. It is my prayer that I retain the confidence bestowed on me. I want to thank all the Christians of this Diocese for their prayers and the peaceful environment they have provided throughout the exercise.

…on his relationship with Archbishop (retired) David Gitari a great inspiration and mentor……
I would start by thanking your Grace for the role you have played both in my ecclesiastical and academic life. It would have been almost impossible for me to complete my recent studies in Britain without your support. Your Grace’s contribution towards the Church and state dialogue, which also earned you an honourary doctorate from the universities of Canterbury and Kent in the recent Lambeth Conference, motivated me to read for my Ph.D., on political theology. This important contribution is now available in many libraries of theology and political science all over the world.

…on former Bishops who served in the diocese….
I would like to recognize the work done by my predecessors in this ecclesiastical region namely: the late Bishop Obadiah Kariuki of the former Diocese of Mount Kenya, the late Bishop Sospeter Magua of the former Diocese of Mount Kenya South, the retired Bishop of Mount Kenya Central, John Mahiaini, the retired Bishop of Mount Kenya South, George Njuguna (late) and finally Bishops Julius Gatambo and Peter Njenga of Mount Kenya Central and Mount Kenya South respectively who have jointly handed over the pastoral staff to me. Being a child of these two mothers, we urge our “mothers” to spread out their breasts generously so that for sometimes we can enjoy your milk

….. reconciliation and unity in service….
Some institutions retard when people and their leaders keep on reflecting on past mistakes and differences. We need to enter the new era with one mind and one spirit and together we build a cohesive Diocese of Thika.

…..come let us build together…….
I am aware that the Christians of this Diocese have high expectations of their Bishop, but let me assure you that I cannot accomplish anything without you. I can only succeed if I am supported by all of you. On this, I quote Sir Isaac Newton who once said; “If I can see far, it is because I stand on the shoulders of other giants”. My giants are the clergy, the laity, my synod, all boards and committees of this Diocese and all the Christians within my jurisdiction. I will not go alone.

….. on challenges in the service and enhancing the capacity of the clergy…..
The Bishop is the chief shepherd of his Diocese, but let me remind the clergy that they are the chief shepherds in their parishes. We are all under the Good Shepherd whom we should emulate. Let us be reminded here that we are not looking after ordinary sheep. In our administration we need to reason out with the members of our councils. We cannot afford to be dictators in the age of democracy and multi-party. The era of dictatorship is gone. We will need to deliberate issues of our common concern and as far as possible arrive at a consensus. I will try my best to build more confidence on our vicars in their pastoral and administrative roles.