In 1945 parents at Karinde village muted the idea of building a school and a church. The
only school and church then was at Kerarapon across Mbagathi river. This posed a big
danger to them and the children especially during the rainy season. But they didn’t realize
that God had long prepared the way for them by:
1. Among the elders at Kerarapon, were some from Karinde village. These were to be
the pioneers of “The church I would like to belong to” today. These were the Late
Elders’; Jason Mukono and Livingstone Gitau.
2. Thogoto church was a few Kilometers away. This surely had been the springboard of
the Church of Scotland Mission and Karinde would be another fertile ground for this.
3. God in His predestination had prepared His workers. The vineyard was ready.
In 1946, the elders at Kerarapon met and discussed the idea of having a church and school at
Karinde. The idea was unanimously supported and immediate action called for. A
delegation comprising of five elders namely Jason Mukono, Livingstone Gitau, George
Njoroge Mbucuca, Barnabas Regeru Nyoike and Abednego Kagunya were sent to Thogoto
to convey their wish. With gladness, the idea was highly commended. Back at Karinde
people were burning with passion to start building “The church I would like to belong to”.
The new church at Karinde, would be part of Thogoto from then.
The late Jason Mukono volunteered to donate enough land for the church and school. The
parents were informed formally in 1947 that a school and church were in offing. They,
became so enthusiastic that no one looked back anymore. A meeting to plan for the building
was held at Sarah Njoki’s home.
The first committee was made of
1) Jason Mukono Secretary
2) Murimi wa Kari
3) Njeri wa Heho (Wa Ngungu)
4) Ngonyo wa Musa
Later, two other ladies Jediddah Muthoni Mathu and Rebecca Nyakonju assisted the
committee.
In that first meeting, they raised Kshs.5 which was used to buy materials to build the church.
These people gladly provided the very much needed labour. In a short time, a church build
in the elegance of bamboos, mud and iron sheets (Marebe) was ready for occupation.
By 1949 the church membership had increased to one hundred and twenty. Among these
was the Lat Rev. Geoffrey Muriu Kaburugu who was by then the leader of the church youth.
In the same year, Rev Benjamin Gathaiya waiyaki conducted the first baptism where Sarah
Njoki was baptized. The church grew from one level to another. Geoffrey Muriu Kaburugu
became the first person to receive Christ in the church. He carried his salvation to the end of
his life having seen the conversion of many that he preached to. Mary Njeri Kaburugu,
Jediddah Mathu and Peter Kamau Chege followed in the wind of Salvation.
The group preached with such vigor that although they were always reprimanded for so
doing, the fire of salvation became unstoppable in the area. By 1950, so many people had
given their lives to Christ.
FIRST CHURCH MARRIAGE
The first church wedding was conducted by Rev Ishmael Wango in 1948. This was between
James Mungai Thairu and Margaret Muthoni. Geoffrey Muriu Kaburugu and Rahab Wanjiru
Wanderi were their best couple.
FIRST ELDERS TO BE ORDAINED
Due to the high growth of the church new elders were ordained. These were;
1) Jason Mukono
2) Livingstone Gatau Kimanji
later,
1) Wallace Mathu and
2) Charles Kiarie were ordained.
In the wake of emergency, the now developed church and school went into oblivion.
This is the reason there are two schools; one in Nairobi and other here called Gitiba.
THE 1ST STONE BUILDING
After many years of trying to pick stones here and there, the building committee met on
5th June 1971 to brainstorm on the idea of building a permanent church.
Members were:
1) Fresiah Muringa George Chair person
2) Jason Mukono Vice Chair
3) Crispus Mbugua Kamau Treasurer
4) Margaret Waithira Gitahi Member
5) Ruth W Njoroge Member
6) Beatrice Nduta Mbugua Member
7) Salome W. Kimani Member
A total of Kshs.13,311.30 was raised in the ensuing harambee. On the 3rd March 1974 the
ground was blessed by Rev. Kogo.
The church was completed at a cost of Kshs.35,000. Rev Josiah Muita led in transferring to
the new church but it was later found to have cracks and the session ordered it be
demolished.
A new committee was set up in 1979 made of:
1) Late Godfrey Mbugua Njogu Chairman
2) Evanson Gitau Gitahi Secretary
3) Eunice Njeri Mburu Treasurer
4) Samuel Wanderi Kagina Registrar
5) Peter Gitau Member
6) Perish Nyakaru Njoroge Member
The church was rebuilt and foundation stone laid by Rev Geoffrey Muriu Kaburugu.
It was dedicated on 7th January 1990 by the then Moderator of Ngong Hills Presbytery
Rev. Stephen Njoroge Kariuki.
In 1980, Evanson Gitau Gitahi and the late Godfrey Mbugua Njogu were ordained as Elders.
Later as the church members continued to increase the following Elders were ordained:
1) John Gichoya Retired
2) Daniel Njenga Kahingo Retired
3) John Njoroge Kamau Retired
4) Josephine Njoki Ndua Gitiba District
5) Geoffrey Kimani Njoroge Rurii/Gichungo Districts
6) Bedan Mumira Waithaka Forest line District
7) Geoffrey Kiragu Muchanga Jacaranda District
8) Edward Kinyanjui Mbugua Njiku
9) Hellen W. Gitau Karinde District
10) Sospeter Njoroge Ndua Gituamba District
11) James Mburu Kiando Highlands District
CURRENT LCC OFFICIALS
1) Elder Geoffrey Kimani Njoroge Chairman
2) Elder James Mburu Kiando Secretary
3) Elder Edward Kinyanjui Mbugua Vice Secretary
4) Mrs. Marcellina Ngonyo Wauthi Treasurer
5) Mrs. Eunice Kabui Kinyanjui Registrar
The church has all the church groups and other committees. We have a total of 350 members
and 450 children.
The church has been served by 27 Parish Ministers and currently Rev. Alfred M. Wangai.
NEW SANCTUARY
The PCMF group got concerned with the increase of membership and agreed that they
spearhead construction of a modern sanctuary which can accommodate 1000 people.
The idea was forwarded to the then LCC which accepted and was forwarded to the Kirk
Session of Dagoretti Parish.
A committee was formed and led by Mr. Stanley Gichia Kabanya as the Chairman and
assisted by Mr. Benson Ndugire Gichuhi. The secretary was Elder Geoffrey Kimani Njoroge
and the Treasurer Mr. James Wauthi.
It was agreed that extra effort be put by all church members in all annual PCMF Sundays and
the funds geared towards the New Sanctuary Project.
The first fundraising was held in November 2008 during the PCMF Sunday and a total of
KShs.780,000 was raised.
Ground breaking was done on 2 nd May 2011 by Rev. Alice W. Kimani and the
Late Rev. Moses Maara Mungai. The Chairman then was Elder Bedan Mumira.
Since then, the construction has been ongoing very well.
FOUNDATION STONE
The foundation stone was laid on 4 th August 2013 by the then Moderator of Milimani South
Presbytery, Rev. Daniel Kamau Nguyo.
DEMOLITION OF OLD SANCTUARY
Permission to demolish the old sanctuary was sought and granted by the Presbytery through
the session. The demolition started on 1 st December 2015. By that time the sanctuary had
been built up to the walls surrounding the old one.
The construction has been going on well with funds collected from our very committed
members.
We had Jubilee weddings on 26 th October 2017 with eight couples solemnizing their
marriages in this new Sanctuary. Two other individuals have done their weddings here.
THE CURRENT BUILDING COMMITTEE
1) Stanley Gichia Chairman
2) Benson Ndugire Vice Chairman
3) Sospeter Njoroge Secretary
4) Bernard Waicigo Vice secretary
5) James Wauthi Treasurer
6) Evanson Gitau Member
7) Geoffrey Kimani Member
8) Noah Kairu Member
9) John Ndua Member
10) Josephine Ndua Member
11) George Thiga Member
12) Bedan Mumira Member
13) Edward Kinyanjui Member
APPRECIATION
1. We give honour and glory to our Lord for enabling us to complete the sanctuary,
vestry and office annex which is in progress through the dedication and generous
contribution of our church members and friends. May our Lord Bless them all.
2. To all our Late pioneer fathers and mothers and colleagues who contributed so
generously and with a lot of dedication.
3. To all Ministers who have served our church with high dedication and commitment.
4. To all members of Mutu-ini Parish led by the Kirk Session for support in all stages.
5. A lot of appreciation goes to the members of the Building Committee who have
tirelessly been active and in attendance of 8:00 am meetings and other odd hours to
ensure the work is done to perfection.
Special thanks to Mr. James Wauthi and Mr. Benson Ndugire our able project managers who
have acted with utmost dedication to oversee day to day building of the church. To all the
Elders led by our able LCC Chairman, Elder Geoffrey Kimani Njoroge, all the church
groups/committees, friends of PCEA Karinde church both in the Country and in the
Diaspora.
A cost of KShs.16,405,000 has been put in the construction of the church.
Indeed we all say that “This Is The Church We Would Like To Belong To”
To God Be the Glory
Amen!