The Military Ordinariate of Kenya is a military ordinariate

Military ordinariate

A military ordinariate is an ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church, of Latin or Eastern Rite, responsible for the pastoral care of Catholics serving in the armed forces of a nation....

 of the Roman Catholic Church

Roman Catholic Church

The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...

. Immediately subject to the Holy See

Holy See

The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...

, it provides pastoral care

Pastoral care

Pastoral care is the ministry of care and counseling provided by pastors, chaplains and other religious leaders to members of their church or congregation, or to persons of all faiths and none within institutional settings. This can range anywhere from home visitation to formal counseling provided...

 to Roman Catholics serving in the Kenyan Armed Forces

Military of Kenya

The Kenya Defence Forces are the armed forces of the Republic of Kenya. The Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, and Kenya Air Force comprise the national Defence Forces. The current Kenya Defence Forces were established, and its composition laid out, in Article 241 of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya...

 and their families.

History

It was established as a military vicariate on 20 January 1964 with the first military vicar appointment on the same day. It was elevated to a military ordinariate on 21 July 1986.

Military vicars

• Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga
  Maurice Michael Otunga
  Maurice Michael Otunga , Cardinal and Archbishop emeritus of Nairobi and Military Ordinary emeritus for Kenya, was born in Chebukwa, diocese of Kakamega, Kenya.-Early life and ordination:...
  
   (appointed 20 January 1964 – became Military Ordinary 21 July 1986)

Military ordinaries

• Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga
  Maurice Michael Otunga
  Maurice Michael Otunga , Cardinal and Archbishop emeritus of Nairobi and Military Ordinary emeritus for Kenya, was born in Chebukwa, diocese of Kakamega, Kenya.-Early life and ordination:...
  
   (appointed 21 July 1986 – retired 29 August 1997)
• Alfred Kipkoech Arap Rotich (current incumbent, appointed 29 August 1997)