Rev. Bishop Dr. Joseph Otieno Wasonga is a venerable cleric of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) with a career in ministry over a period of more than 20 years.

Born in 1954 in Gem, Siaya County, he has been a community developer, spiritual leader, and a mentor to many, leaving a memorable mark on both church and society.

Wasonga was born three months following the arrest of his father by the colonial government without trial, and this was a bitter experience that influenced his early life and worldview.

The resentment that he had been bearing since he was a kid escaped only when he surrendered before Jesus Christ and learned the healing gift of forgiveness and reconciliation.

He studied theology at St. Paul’s Theological College (now St. Paul’s University) in Limuru, obtaining a diploma from Makerere University and later in 1979 a Licentiate in Theology.

Calling into Ministry

In the year 1977, under the Teachers Service Commission, Wasonga was an untrained teacher at Wagai Primary School before joining the full-time ministry.

He became involved in church life unexpectedly when he was requested to teach catechism before his baptism, and that was the moment that marked the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith and leadership.

In December 1979, he became a deacon and was sent to Rae Parish, Maseno South Diocese.

He was a creative young pastor at just 25 years who managed to lead an older congregation with his special attention to children’s ministry, school evangelism, and adult Bible study programmes.

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Transformative Leadership and Ministry

The major focus of the ministry of Wasonga was economic empowerment.

He promoted ox-power farming, furrow irrigation, and facilitated the preparation of the Ahero Irrigation Scheme.

In cooperation with the Mothers Union, he launched projects in rice milling, brick-making enterprises, and tree planting, which triggered the growth and reforestation, especially in Onyuongo Hill.

He has worked as a Bishop of the ACK Diocese of Maseno West, and he retired on September 1, 2025, being succeeded by Bishop John Mark Haung Godia.

Family and Philanthropy

In 1983, Wasonga married Mama Jenipher, an evangelist, and together they have two biological children, one adopted child, and supported many others through their ministry.

The couple also established the Bishop Wasonga Foundation, which focuses on providing vulnerable and orphans with education and care.

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Leadership Philosophy and Governance

Bishop Wasonga is known to be a humble and strategic leader and believes in empowering other people through teamwork and professionalism.

He has been a proponent of reforms in how bishops are elected and has also been urging that the office be viewed as a call to service, not privilege.

He has served the wider Anglican Church in several key capacities, including:

• Provincial Dean of the ACK.
• Provincial Board of Finance, Chairperson.
• Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK) Chairperson.
• Chairperson, Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS).
• Anglican Development Services Nyanza (ADS-Nyanza) Chairperson.

Even though he was three times nominated to the Archbishop, Wasonga notes that he never had the Archbishop in his heart; he chose to serve where God appointed him.

The Spirit of Excellence and Tradition.

Two of the most important funerals in Kenya were under the ministering of Bishop Wasonga.

In 1994, he preached at the funeral of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, the first Vice President of Kenya and a founding father of the nation.

In October 2025, however, he is back in the country, but this time preaching at the funeral of the son of Jaramogi and former Prime Minister of Kenya, Raila Amolo Odinga, the long-serving opposition leader of Kenya.

This is not only a spiritual continuation between generations, but it is also a true milestone in the history of Kenya to have a spiritual leader on her own platform, Bishop Wasonga, who has been a minister not only to the hearts but also to the heritage of a nation.

Rev. Bishop Dr. Joseph Otieno Wasonga has continued to be the light of faith, humility, and service in his retirement.

His life is a unique combination of pastoral care, social change, and national significance, a legacy that still guides the people of Kenya and the church.

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The Profile of Bishop Dr Joseph Otieno Wasonga
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