Malindi Diocese Youth Seminar and Music Festivals – 2025
By Stanslaus Kanenje, SJ
The Diocese of Malindi successfully held its 2025 Youth Seminar and Music Festivals. The event that ran from August 7–10 was hosted at Mpeketoni Boys High School under the theme “Youth as Pilgrims of Hope.” The gathering drew hundreds of young people from across the diocese for prayer, formation, and cultural celebration.
The highlight was the Youth Mass at Christ the Sower Parish, presided over by Bishop Henry Juma Odonya, SPS, of Kitale, Guest of Honour and chair of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (KCCB) Commission for Youth Apostolate. In his homily, Bishop Odonya invited the youth to follow Christ with faith and courage, trusting in God’s providence and responding generously to His call to service. He was accompanied by Fr. Cosmas Muova, National Youth Chaplain.
The host bishop, Rt. Rev. Willybard Lagho of Malindi, encouraged young people to embrace vocational and technical training through TVET institutions, stressing the need for practical skills in today’s world. He also called on young women to take up opportunities in technical fields traditionally dominated by men.
The event concluded with vibrant music and drama festivals, where top-performing deaneries received trophies and certificates. Participants left spiritually enriched and renewed in their commitment to witness Christ in their parishes and communities as true “pilgrims of hope.”
