Pope Francis To Send Representative To Daystar University

Pope Francis has announced that one of his representatives will be in Kenya for a visit to Daystar University.

The Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan, His Excellency Archbishop Bert Van Megen, will tour the Athi River campus on Wednesday, November 30.

According to an invite sent to newsrooms, Van Megen will be accompanied by Jose Antonio Texeiras, who is the Nunciature's charge d'affaires. This is a diplomat who serves as an embassy's chief of mission in the absence of the ambassador.

The duo will meet the Catholic Community at the University, with its vice-chancellor inviting catholic students and staff to join in for an hour of fellowship.

"On Wednesday, November 30th, 2022, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. His Excellency Monsignor Bert van Megen, the Apostolic Nuncio (Pope's Representative) to Kenya and South Sudan, as well as Permanent Observer to UNEP and UN-Habitat, will pay a visit to the Daystar University Athi River Campus.

"Rev. Monsignor Jose Antonio Texeiras, the Nunciature's charge d'affaires, will accompany the Nuncio. From 11:30 a.m. to 12:40 p.m., the Nuncio will meet with the Catholic Community at Daystar University's ICT Theatre. The Vice-Chancellor invites all Catholic students and staff to join him for an hour of fellowship with the pope's representative," the invite read in part.

In addition, non-Catholics are permitted as the university stated that it is a learning experience, particularly on environmental matters.

Speaking to Viral Tea, a source privy to the university matters expressed excitement about the visit of the Pope's representatives coming at a time when Daystar is set to turn 50 years old in 2023.

"This is so important. Imagine Daystar University will be 50 next year, and this is the first time that a catholic bishop / Nuncio visits the university. It's God," the source indicated.

Daystar University is a Christ-centred non-denominational institution of higher learning which exists to equip Christian servant leaders for the transformation of church and society.

Founded in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, as Daystar Publications in 1964, the institution was moved to Kenya in 1971 and registered as Daystar Communications, a non-profit organization in 1973 offering a five-week International Institute for Christian Communication (IICC) course.

In 1976, Daystar Communications started a two-year post-high school diploma programme in Christian Communications, followed by a two-year M.A. programme in Christian Communication and Christian Ministries in 1978, in collaboration with Wheaton College in Illinois, USA.

In April 1984, Daystar launched a four-year B.A. degree program in collaboration with Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania, USA and changed its name to Daystar University College. On September 29, 1994, Daystar was granted a Charter by the Government of Kenya and became Daystar University. 

The university has two branches, its original campus in Nairobi and the main Athi River campus built in 1992 to accommodate over 1,500 students, both local and international.

The university is known for producing top journalists in the country like Larry Madowo, Johnson Mwakazi, Waihiga Mwaura, Lizz Ntojira, Terry Nzau and comedian Eric Omondi.