In 2004, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis joined with the Diocese of Kitui, Kenya in a global solidarity partnership to share faith, culture, and resources known as the Kitui Kenya Partnership. This partnership was initiated as a result of the U.S. Bishop’s 2001 pastoral letter “A Call to Solidarity with Africa.” Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. bishops’ overseas relief and development agency, assisted with the effort.
Kitui Kenya Partnership
Kitui Kenya Partnership, Mission and Vision
The partnership aims to make Jesus Christ known and loved by choosing to live the Gospel “in every moment of our lives” (partnership Vision statement). It exists in recognition of our communion in the Body of Christ for the mutual sharing of our faith, our experience, our culture, and our resources—gifts to us from God.
How it Works
Our partnership includes encounters through delegation visits and programs to share our gifts with each other.
As an example, delegations from Minnesota have visited Kitui every three years beginning in 2005. Delegates from the Diocese of Kitui have been hosted by their friends in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis every three years beginning in 2006.
In 2005, the partners decided that addressing the challenge of water would be the top resource sharing priority, due to the constant and severe droughts challenging Kitui. This led to multiple fundraising projects throughout the years. The most recent of these projects, Living Water, teaches participants about the dire water situation in Kitui, the struggles and joys of the Akamba tribe who live in Kitui, and provides an opportunity for them to donate to the construction of dams, installation of water tanks, and other efforts that help provide the people of Kitui with access to clean water and the ability to live dignified lives.
In 2024, the partnership celebrated its 20th anniversary, making it one of the longest-standing diocesan partnerships in existence.
If you are interested in learning more about the partnership, contact Janine Ricker>>
History and Mission of the Kitui Partnership
In 2004, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis established a global solidarity partnership with the Diocese of Kitui, Kenya to share faith, culture, and resources. This initiative was inspired by the U.S. Bishops’ 2001 pastoral letter, “A Call to Solidarity with Africa”, with support from Catholic Relief Services.
A Partnership Rooted in Mutuality
This partnership is built on mutuality, ensuring that interactions respect human dignity and eliminate power imbalances caused by differences in education, wealth, and resources. By fostering equal and dignified relationships, the partnership upholds the core values of solidarity and mission.
Mission and Vision
The partnership seeks to make Jesus Christ known and loved by living out the Gospel in daily life. Rooted in our communion as the Body of Christ, it provides a space for mutual sharing of faith, experiences, culture, and resources—all of which are gifts from God.
How the Partnership Works
—Delegation Visits: Since 2005, delegations from Minnesota have visited Kitui every three years, while delegations from Kitui have traveled to Minnesota every three years since 2006.
—Water Crisis Relief Efforts: Recognizing water scarcity as Kitui’s greatest challenge, the partnership prioritized clean water access. This led to numerous fundraising initiatives, including the Living Water Program, which educates participants about Kitui’s water crisis and raises funds for dams, water tanks, and infrastructure to ensure clean water access for the Akamba people.
A 20-Year Legacy of Global Solidarity
In 2024, the partnership celebrated its 20th anniversary, making it one of the longest-standing diocesan partnershipsin the Church.
Get Involved
Want to learn more about the Kitui Partnership? Contact Janine Ricker for more details.