On Sunday, May 18, 2025, Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the Nairobi Kenya Temple, marking a significant milestone as the first temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in East Africa. The dedication ceremony was a momentous occasion for members in the region, symbolizing the growth and commitment of the Church in this part of the world.
Elder Soares emphasized the profound love God has for His children, stating, “God has a perfect and infinite love for His children and has inspired our dear Prophet to announce and to build a temple in this part of the world, where so many people from different countries will rejoice together.” He highlighted the temple as a place where members can receive divine guidance and strengthen their families in righteousness.
A view of the Nairobi Kenya Temple at night in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Gordon and Rose Ondiek, temple open house coordinators, laugh near the Nairobi Kenya Temple in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. | Church Newsroom
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Rosana, wave to attendees of the Nairobi Kenya Temple dedication in Nairobi, Kenya, on Sunday, May 18, 2025. | Church NewsroomThe Nairobi Kenya Temple, announced in April 2017 by President Thomas S. Monson, serves members from Kenya and neighboring countries, including Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and South Sudan.
The temple is situated on a 3.4-acre site in the Mountain View area of Nairobi and features a single-story design with Portuguese Moleanos limestone exterior. Its architecture incorporates local cultural elements, such as the agapanthus flower motif, reflecting Kenya’s prominence as a leading exporter of flowers in Africa.
The temple includes two instruction rooms, two sealing rooms, and a baptistry, adorned with native designs and artwork inspired by the Kenyan savanna.
Elder Thierry K. Mutombo, a General Authority Seventy and Africa Central Area President; Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; and Elder Kevin R. Duncan, a General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Church’s Temple Department, talk on the grounds of the Nairobi Kenya Temple in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday, May 18, 2025. | Church Newsroom
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and his wife,; Elder Kevin R. Duncan and his wife, Nancy; and Elder Thierry K. Mutombo and his wife, Nathalie, walk the grounds of the Nairobi Kenya Temple in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. | Church NewsroomA public open house was conducted from April 17 through May 3, 2025, allowing thousands of visitors to tour the temple and learn about its significance. The dedication was attended by Church leaders, members, and guests from various countries, celebrating the establishment of a sacred edifice that stands as a beacon of faith and unity in East Africa.
The Nairobi Kenya Temple represents a fulfillment of prophetic vision and the enduring faith of Latter-day Saints in the region. It stands as a testament to the Church’s commitment to bringing temples closer to its members worldwide, providing them with opportunities to participate in sacred ordinances and strengthen their spiritual lives.
A Brief History of the Church in Kenya
February 25, 1991 • KenyaAfter 11 years of registration efforts, including a continuous weekly rotating fast undertaken by seven members in the final one-and-a-half years, the Kenyan government granted the Church legal status. | ChurchofJesusChrist.org
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has experienced steady growth in Kenya since its early beginnings. In the 1960s, small groups of American expatriate members gathered in homes in Nairobi for worship. The first Kenyan converts, Ebisiba and Elizaphan Osaka, along with two of their children, were baptized in 1979 following the 1978 revelation extending priesthood ordination to all worthy male members.
Missionary work commenced in 1980 with the arrival of the first senior missionary couple. By 1981, branches were established in Nairobi and Kiboko. However, the Church faced challenges in obtaining official recognition from the Kenyan government. In 1989, to comply with local regulations, the Church voluntarily withdrew senior missionaries, and Joseph W. Sitati was appointed as the presiding elder in Kenya.
With the Christus statue overlooking the temple grounds, attendees gather at the Nairobi Kenya Temple dedication in Nairobi, Kenya, on Sunday, May 18, 2025. | Church NewsroomAfter 11 years of persistent efforts, including a continuous weekly rotating fast by members, the Church received legal recognition on February 25, 1991. Subsequently, the Nairobi Kenya District was organized in September 1991, with Joseph Sitati as president. Elder James E. Faust dedicated Kenya for the preaching of the gospel in October 1991.
The Church continued to grow, with the Nairobi Kenya Stake—the first in East Africa—being organized on September 9, 2001, again with Joseph Sitati as president. Today, there are more than 22,000 members in over 70 congregations across Kenya.
Holly Wallace is a writer and storyteller drawn to meaningful questions and overlooked details. Her work explores Latter-day Saint life and culture through faithful inquiry, inviting readers to pause, consider, and engage more deeply with what matters most.
