Church leader in Kenya remembered as father figure

Key Points:

• The Rev. Carol Alois Ososo promoted the call of young adults to preach the word of God for the transformation of the world. He died Feb. 19 at age 77.
• Friends and colleagues said he treated everyone like family, and people looked to him for guidance.
• The retired dean of superintendents had an infectious laugh that helped to overcome tension during intense discussions.

The Rev. Carol Alois Ososo, retired dean of superintendents for the Kenya-Ethiopia Conference, is being remembered as a father figure with an infectious laugh who contributed immensely to the growth and development of The United Methodist Church in Kenya, Africa and globally.

Ososo, who also served as Busia District superintendent in the Kenya-Ethiopia Conference, died Feb. 19 in Kisumu, Kenya, at age 77.

 

The Rev. Carol Alois Ososo
Photo courtesy of the Kenya-Ethiopia Conference.

“Rev. Ososo was a father who could not choose between privileged and underprivileged children,” said the Rev. Paul Matheri, conference dean of superintendents. “He was a father who would not see me as a pastor, but as his child.”

The Rev. Toko Masasseh, dean of superintendents for the Uganda South Sudan Conference, said Ososo was a teacher and mentor who planted several churches. Ososo retired in 2019. He also served as the former chair of the Board of Pensions and Health Benefits.

Bishop Daniel Wandabula, East Africa Episcopal Area, described Ososo as “God’s general.” Ososo, he recalled, easily made friends in communities where he lived and served and impacted lives across the connection.

“He was the kind of person who reflected the love of God to both church and neighbors,” Wandabula said. “He would not hold any bitterness when he was wronged.”

Wandabula continued, “Death is real. People are dying every minute, every hour, day, month and year. Let us repent of our sins because Jesus came for the sinners so that we can (be) washed by his blood and become whole to inherit eternal life through our Lord and Savior.”

Reading from Psalm 116:15, John 14:16 and 2 Corinthians 5:1-5, the bishop emphasized believing and trusting in God.

“God loves us so much that his plans are for us to prosper,” Wandabula said. “He knew us before we were born. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. The general has rested in peace.”

The Rev. Kennedy Mwita, connectional ministries director, called Ososo “a true leader who worked for his church and died serving it. He was a patriot. I loved the way he would collaborate with newly elected leaders and take them under his wing. I thank God for his life.”

The third child of Charles Karoli and Veronica Nafula Ososo, Carol Alois Ososo was born on Jan. 21, 1947, in Luriba village. He attended Nangina schools and trained as a teacher at Eregi Teachers College and as a minister at United Methodist Theological College, Mukono, Uganda.

Survivors include his wife, Hendrica Ouma, six children, several grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

“The church has lost a father, a leader and a loving servant of God,” said the Rev. Stanley Mwiti, secretary to the cabinet.

The Rev. Mike Mwawasi of the Mombasa District said Ososo advised others on how to be a good leader.

“He always urged us to be transparent. I will remember him as a good leader, a servant and humble leader, a father, an advisor, a mentor, a great preacher, a man of peace and truly a man of God.”

The Rev. Bernard Amani Mudiri is communications director of the Kenya-Ethiopia Conference.

News media contact: Julie Dwyer, news editor, [email protected] or 615-742-5469. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free daily or weekly Digests