On the 3rd of November, the SMA House of Formation in Nairobi marked a milestone, celebrating 30 years of nurturing faith and fostering vocations. In a spirit of simplicity yet profound gratitude, the community, staff, seminarians, alumni, and invited guests gathered to commemorate the anniversary with a ceremony that honored the past, acknowledged the present, and looked forward with hope.

The day began with a symbolic gesture of growth and continuity: tree planting. Led by Fr. François de Paul Hounguè, Vicar General of the Society of African Missions, Fr. Robin Kamemba, District Superior of Kenya, and Fr. Rémi Fatchéoun Kouassi, Rector of the formation house, the act represented the rootedness and steady growth of the Nairobi SMA House of Formation. Together with seminarians, staff, and alumni, they planted trees that will stand as living witnesses to the enduring mission of the formation house.

The evening prayer that followed was tailored for the occasion, inviting attendees to reflect on the 30-year journey of the house. Fr. Robin Kamemba and Fr. Thadeus Mokaya, the parish priest of Mary Mother of God Church in Embulbul, shared heartfelt memories and reflections on the formation house’s humble beginnings. Fr. Robin, speaking on behalf of Fr. Rémi, recalled how the Nairobi SMA House of Formation opened on November 3, 1994, as a response to the rising vocations in East Africa. It was established as a home for young men from Kenya, Tanzania, and other parts of Africa, as well as India and Poland, to study Philosophy and Theology at Tangaza University College and the Consolata Institute. This international dimension of the Society of African Missions was central to its mission, providing a rich environment for the cross-cultural exchange that has been a foundation of the formation experience.

The gathering reflected on the countless lives touched by the house over the past three decades. More than 150 priests trained at the Nairobi SMA House of Formation are now serving in the Society of African Missions, bringing the Gospel to communities in need across the continent and beyond. In an emotional moment, the community honored the memory of former residents and mentors who have since passed on, including Fr. Peter Pandi, Fr. Adam Bartkowicz, Fr. Matthew Bassah, Fr. Lawrence Ongoma, and Fr. Cornelius Murphy alias Mzee, former Spiritual Director of the house. Their contributions to the formation community remain cherished, their legacy woven into the fabric of the house.

Today, the Nairobi SMA House of Formation is a vibrant and diverse community, with 52 seminarians from 13 different nationalities. This includes 34 Theology students, five of whom are deacons, and 18 Philosophy students, mostly from Kenya and Tanzania. As the number of seminarians has steadily grown over the years, the house has adapted to accommodate this expansion, constructing new blocks of rooms in 1997 and again in 2012. Now at full capacity, the house faces new challenges, particularly in reorganizing shared spaces such as the dining hall, community rooms, and recreation areas.

Fr. Rémi acknowledged that these challenges require creative solutions and support. Local donors, benefactors abroad, and alumni of the formation house have all rallied to support the house’s ongoing projects. In his remarks, Fr. Rémi expressed gratitude to all those who have contributed, noting that their support is not only practical but profoundly missionary. He thanked them for their role in nurturing the future heralds of the Gospel, who will go on to bring the message of hope and love to communities in Africa where the Christian faith is still taking root.

The anniversary celebrations are set to conclude with a closing ceremony on December 6, 2025. By then, the formation house community hopes to look back with pride, having addressed the challenges before them and laid the groundwork for another chapter of growth and service. Fr. Rémi extended a heartfelt invitation to supporters, urging them to continue journeying with the formation house and to help in training future missionaries who will embody and spread the Gospel across Africa.

As the SMA House of Formation in Nairobi turns 30, it stands as a beacon of faith, hope, and community for young men called to serve. In the words of Fr. Robin Kamemba, it is a moment to “thank God for His wondrous deeds” and to reaffirm the commitment to a mission that transcends borders and transforms lives.