Irish Missionary plays leading role in Tangaza University, Kenya

President William Ruto greeting Fr Padraig Devine

Whilst Tangaza University in Nairobi may not be known to many people in Ireland or the UK, it is an institution that Irish-born missionary, Fr Padraig Devine SMA, has played a significant role in bringing to its current status. That role was acknowledged recently at the university's inaugural graduation ceremony.

Tangaza College was established in 1986 as a constituent college of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa and gained university status in 2020. Its roots are in the Catholic tradition that was planted and nourished in Eastern Africa through Irish missionary endeavour over many decades.

Its student body are multi-ethnic and inter-religious from Africa and numerous other countries around the world. The recent Inaugural Graduation Ceremony not only celebrated the achievements of the graduates but also marked the university's emergence as a beacon of higher education in Kenya.

In his speech, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Patrick Mwania, recognised Members of the University Council, and particularly Fr Devine who is the Vice-Chairman. He applauded Fr Devine's long service to the university as a member of the University Governing Council, and currently the Chairman of its Corporate Affairs Committee. Fr Devine has responsibility of setting up the Tangaza University Endowment Fund.

The Co Roscommon native holds a Doctorate in Philosophy in Political Science and Public Administration, a Masters Degree in Peace Studies and International Relations, and is certified in Corporate Governance Training. He lectured at Tangaza for over 10 years and prior to that he served on the college's previous board for 12 years and was its deputy chairperson.

The keynote speaker at the ceremony was the President of Kenya, Dr William Ruto. He called on the graduates to use their skills, knowledge, and faith to address the challenges facing the nation and to contribute to the realisation of Kenya's Vision 2030. The President emphasised the transformative power of education and the importance of combining academic knowledge with Christian values. Unlike in Ireland and Europe, African political leaders are not shy in emphasising the importance they attach to Christian values in public affairs.

Fr Devine's work in Africa began in 1988. After holding leadership roles in the Society of African Missions in Kenya and Tanzania, he served as Secretary General and Chairman of the Religious Superiors' Conference of Kenya which is comprised of 75 religious congregations with over 6,000 personnel in Eastern Africa. He was also a founding director of Pacis Insurance Company set up by the Catholic Church in Kenya in 2005.

In 2009, he set up the Shalom Center for Conflict Resolution & Reconciliation. His efforts in peace-building started attracting international recognition when he was awarded the 2013 International Caring Award joining recipients that include the Dalai Lama, former US President Jimmy Carter, Mother Teresa and Senator George Mitchell. In 2014, eight countries in Eastern Africa presented him with the prestigious IGAD Award for his visionary contribution to peace and development in the vast region.

He has been a guest speaker at Harvard University, University of Austin-Texas, University of Houston, University of San Diego, DePaul University, the World Bank, the George Mitchell Institute of Global Peace, Security and Justice at Queens University Belfast, and the Edward M Kennedy Institute for Conflict Intervention at Maynooth University.

In 2022, he set up the Shalom Empowerment Center that addresses violence against women and children in Eastern Africa. Later that year he opened the Mary & Joseph Life Centre in the slum areas of Nairobi.

(Matt Moran is an author and writer specialising in religious and social affairs. He lives in Cork in the Republic of Ireland).