Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints unveils its first Temple in entire East Africa region

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 14 – The newly completed Nairobi Kenya Temple of The Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the first latter-day Saint temple in the entire East Africa region is inviting public to tour.

Elder Thierry K. Mutombo, Area President of the Africa Central Area of the Church has announced that the open House will be held from Thursday 17 April to Saturday 3 May 2025 and run everyday except Sundays, following the public open house the temple will be formally dedicated on Sunday May 18 2025.

Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints is located at Mountain View, Hinga Road, off Waiyaki way, Nairobi.

Tours consist of initial welcome followed by a 40-minute walking tour through the temple, will begin at Latter-day Saint meeting House adjacent to the temple construction began with formal groundbreaking in September 2021.

The temple is 204th of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints in the world serving more than 80,000 Church members in seven countries.

“Latter-day Saint temples differ from meeting houses or chapels where members meet for Sunday worship services, Temples are considered houses of the Lord where teachings of Jesus Christ are reaffirmed through marriage, baptism and other ceremonies that unite families for eternity”, said the Area President.

Church members in Kenya and surrounding African countries have been attending the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple, their nearest temple Nairobi Africa Temple is anticipated to serve members in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan.

The first Church members in Kenya were baptized in 1979, with two small congregations in 1981 in Nairobi and Kiboko later Kenya’s first stake was organized in 2001.

“Over the years, Church membership has grown fast in Kenya and other African countries,here are more than 19,200 members and three stakes in about 70 congregations”. he added.

Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will dedicate the temple in one session on Sunday May 18 2025. 

“Once the temple is dedicated, only worthy members of the Church of Jesus Christ can enter to worship, serve and perform ordinances”.