Kenyan Long-serving Rector Who Fought through Cancer to Form Diocesan Clergy Eulogized as Humble, Faithful Priest

Many have said that they will remember Fr. Njuguna’s fatherly demeanour that he balanced very well with firmness as he never compromised on excellence. He has been eulogized as a humble and faithful Priest.

In his tribute, Fr. Casmir Odundo of the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru, one of his former students, shared, “He encouraged us to be self-reliant and to contribute even to our own formation.”

Credit: St. Augustine's Mabanga Seminary

“Once, after our television broke, he urged us to raise funds for a new one. Of course, he made the highest contribution, but we raised so much money that we had the dilemma of deciding which was the best television to buy after the students' Harambee (fundraising),” Fr. Odundo recalled.

In other tributes that Mchungaji News has gathered, Grace Gichuru, who served as Fr. Njuguna’s Secretary at Mabanga Seminary said the late Catholic Priest was “one unique person”. 

Credit: St. Augustine's Mabanga Seminary

“It is difficult to believe that you are no more,” Grace says, and continues, “The years I worked under you, you were one unique person. Your humility was beyond explanation. As a boss, you corrected with a lot of humanity and love. I could write endlessly about your good deeds. My prayer was always that you would heal and return to the Lord’s service. But God picks the best flower in His Garden. Fr. Njuguna, rest in peace.”

Fr. Amani Kochwa, a member of the Congregation of the Missions (CM), commonly known as the Vincentians has eulogized his colleague at Mabanga Seminary as “a guiding light” in his early years of Priesthood and a “beacon of warmth and kindness”.

Credit: St. Augustine's Mabanga Seminary

“Today, I reflect on the life of a man who was not just a priest, but a mentor, a friend, and a guiding light in my journey as a young priest,” Fr. Kochwa writes. 

He explains, “When I was appointed as a newly ordained priest to join the faculty in Mabanga, Fr. Njuguna was a beacon of warmth and kindness. He welcomed me with open arms and trusted my potential. He was a true friend whose door was always open – whether for casual conversation, philosophical discussions on aesthetics, or simply to share a drink. Rest in peace, buddy and mentor. I will miss you.”

Credit: St. Augustine's Mabanga Seminary

In another series of tributes, Sr. Hellen Joseph of the Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul (FSP/Pauline Sisters) recalls her first meeting with the late Fr. Njuguna and shares her impressions of a Priest she describes as “very kind and jolly”.

“I encountered Fr David as a Postulant of Daughters of St Paul during Book exhibition at St Augustine Seminary. Even though we did not interact much, I could tell instantly that he is very kind and jolly,” Sr. Hellen writes. 

Credit: St. Augustine's Mabanga Seminary

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Later on, she continues, “as a Sr, I could call him at the beginning of every academic year to request for an opportunity to hold book exhibition in the seminary a request he never turned down.”

“My heart aches to think you are no more!!!” the FSP member mourns Fr. Njuguna, and adds, “He was ever gentle, smiling, hospitable and made us feel at home in Mabanga. We kept in touch during his illness and I could tell he was very serene. May the Lord rest his gentle soul in peace and give the Church and family consolation.”

Credit: St. Augustine's Mabanga Seminary

Fr. Njuguna was born on 2 December 1962 in a big family of 10 children in Kenya’s Kiambu County in the Catholic ADN.

Ordained a Priest by the Servant of God Maurice Michael Cardinal Otunga on 29 May 1993, Fr. Njuguna proceeded to serve in various parishes.

Credit: St. Augustine's Mabanga Seminary

He later joined the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, where he earned a Master’s degree in Philosophy in 2000 and, subsequently, a Doctorate in Philosophy in 2003.

Upon his return to Kenya, he took up the position of Formator and Lecturer at his alma mater, St. Augustine’s Seminary, Mabanga, where he served for 19 years, rising to become the institution’s Vice Rector and later, the Rector.

Credit: St. Augustine's Mabanga Seminary

The Catholic ADN has announced that Fr. Njuguna will be laid to rest on Tuesday, September 10. The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary's Msongari grounds, starting at 10:30 a.m., followed by interment at the Clergy Cemetery.