Nun to head Kenyan bishops’ new national television

By Rose Achiego

Nairobi, Sept 23, 2020: The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has appointed a Catholic nun to set up a national Catholic television station.

Sister Agnes Lucy Lando, the director of Research and Postgraduate Studies at Kenya’s Daystar University, is the coordinator and lead consultant to assist the conference to launch Ukweli Television Kenya.

The Communications Authority of Kenya has recently issued a commercial free-to-air broadcast license to the new television station, whose motto is bringing ‘Christ to the people and people to Christ.”

In an interview, Bishop Joseph Obanyi, chairperson of conference’s Commission for Social Communications, disclosed that the Kenyan prelates were delighted to own their own national TV station.

“On behalf of the bishops, I am excited that finally, we have something to begin with,” said Bishop Obanyi. “We thank the team in Nairobi for their commitment in helping acquire the broadcast license.”

Bishop Obanyi said Ukweli TV would soon start transmitting programs and called on Christians across the dioceses to support the new TV and team appointed to run it.

He commended Sister Lando for her commitment and acceptance in helping the bishops realize their dream.

Meanwhile, speaking at Ukweli TV which is based at the National Youth Centre (Mji-Wa Furaha) along Thika Road, Sister Lando congratulated the bishops’ conference and thanked the prelates for the appointment. She said she was grateful for the bishops’ confidence in her despite her other engagements at Daystar University, a non-Catholic institution.

“To me, it is an appointment of Daystar University. I see an element of ecumenism where different faiths are working together for the common good of humanity and the proclamation of the great news,” she said.

Sister Lando said the closure of Churches early in the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic influenced the establishment of the new TV station.

“There was the forceful withdrawal of the Shepherd from the Sheep,” said Sr. Lando. “It was the desire of the Bishops to remain in touch with the Christians. They, therefore, requested that the establishment of Ukweli TV be accelerated so that it would be used as a tool for evangelisation and reach out Christians with messages of hope and encouragement.”

Daystar Vice-Chancellor ProLaban Ayiro hailed Sister Lando as a leader who is self-driven, responsible and with the capacity required to run the TV station due to her qualification as a professor in communications and involvement in Church matters.

Source: vaticannews.va