Church of Subukia Shrine — Attraction in Subukia ward

How well do you know about Subukia National Shrine?

Many who visit this place know it as the Subukia National Shrine.

Its name has since changed to the Village of Mary Mother of God, or the National Marian Shrine.

It is still a famous shrine in Nakuru’s Subukia Sub-County that attracts many visitors daily.

"Subukia" is a Maasai word pronounced "isupuku," meaning "higher grounds."

The name aptly fits the location of this famous shrine, which is 210 kilometres west of Nairobi and 40 kilometers from Nakuru.

The shrine, which has attracted both Christians and non-Christians since it was started in 1985, is owned by the Kenya Episcopal Conference and managed by the Franciscan Friars.

The shrine was named the Village of Mary Mother of God in 1984 by the late Michael Cardinal Maurice Otunga.

The fact that Subukia is geographically at the center of Kenya makes it suitable for bringing together people from all parts of Kenya and beyond.

Subukia is also a meeting place of two hemispheres, as the equator runs through it.

At the pick of the hill, we find another chapel with a statue of Mary holding baby Jesus and the spring water that is believed to have miracle cures.

According to the history of the shrine, the spring that is widely believed to produce water with healing powers started flowing since December 1991 and has since never dried up.

On the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary in December 1991, it is said that while clearing the thick bush where the shrine was to be erected, a supervisor, Henry Muthuku, came across a wet patch on the ground that had a small spring of water.

The discovery of the spring has, however, been of great significance to the history of the shrine, with many believers taking it as a form of blessing. This explains why many pilgrims to this shrine fetch water from the spring.

Quite a number of tourists and people from different religious denominations fetch the water believed to give both spiritual and physical healing.

At the center of the compound is a new church designed in the shape of the crown of Mary the mother of Jesus.

It has 12 corners, symbolizing the 12 stars in Mary’s crown, and 12 pillars, symbolizing the 12 Apostles of Jesus.

When it is completed, the church is expected to host more than 5,000 congregants.

On April 19, 1998, a turbaned religious fanatic from the neighboring Igwamiti settlement descended on the shrine and smashed the statue of the Virgin into smithereens. The original statue, which had been brought from Ireland, was destroyed and the head later found in the bush. The man was jailed for the mischief. Maurice Cardinal Otunga suggested the name of the shrine. Together with Ndingi, they proposed Subukia shrine as a suitable place for worship.

At the foot of the hill is a big white cross that can be seen easily as one approaches Subukia Valley.

Buried at the foot of the cross is a piece of rock from the Grotto at Lourdes in France, a stone from River Jordan in Israel and another from the Marian Shrine at Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The footpath leading to the spring is steep and one has to take 12 steps of the cross. The steps symbolize the suffering Jesus underwent before the...

Okay, so picture this: a massive crowd gathered at a Catholic shrine, expectant and hopeful. There's an air of anticipation, faith-filled energy buzzing in the atmosphere. You see people from all walks of life joining together, their hearts pounding with excitement and belief. As they fervently pray for their intentions to be heard, there's an undeniable sense of unity and solidarity. And then it happens – prayers are answered. Miracles unfold before their eyes as ailments are healed, burdens are lifted, and dreams come true. It's the power of a Catholic shrine that brings people from near and far, transcending geographical boundaries to seek divine intervention and find solace in their shared beliefs. There's truly something extraordinary about witnessing thousands of faithful souls coming together, bolstered by unwavering trust in God's presence in that sacred space, reinforcing the incredible potential of...

The place is awesome for any religious person seeking to have some quiet time to connect with the most high. Though clearly stated that its not a picnic site its quiet and breathtaking site is tempting. After taking the 14 steps( catholics will understand) you will find a nature trail leading up to the villages and its quite enjoyable. The only problem is that you need to carry what you need because there are no shops in the vicinity unless you want to purchase religious literature.. All the best as...