A PRIEST serving in the Diocese of Hereford is to be the next Bishop of Mbeere in Kenya.

The Rev Moses Masamba Nthukah is working in the Archenfield group of parishes and lives in Much Birch.

The Bishop of Hereford, Anthony Priddis, has congratulated the 44-year-old on his promotion but is unable to attend the consecration service in Kenya on October 12.

The new bishop has been working in the Diocese since 2006 while he completed his doctorate in theology from Lampeter University. He has become a popular member of the village and his niece was recently married in a very traditional Kenyan wedding at Much Birch Church.

The new Bishop said the problems he would face in his new role were very different from Herefordshire.

“Mbeere Diocese is two to three hours drive from Nairobi and is within an arid and semi-arid region,”

he said.

“The challenges facing the Church in Mbeere are poverty and frequent droughts and famine, but I believe God will provide strength and opportunities for appropriate interventions.”

After his consecration, he will return to England for his farewell service in Herefordshire.

Bishop Anthony will be the preacher at the service at 6.30pm on November 30 in St Weonard’s Church.