Mission guide

Kenya Kisumu Mission

The Kenya Kisumu Mission serves in a lakeside Kenyan setting shaped by railway, community, and Church history.

Swahili
English

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Kenya Kisumu Mission shirts

Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.

Kenya Kisumu Mission T-Shirt

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Kenya Kisumu Mission Heart Map Shirt

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Kenya Kisumu Mission Flag Map Shirt

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I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission

2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.

I Glory in My Jesus shirt in Swahili on White: “Namfurahia Yesu wangu”, 2 Nefi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – Swahili

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in Swahili, white ink on Dark Chocolate: “Namfurahia Yesu wangu”, 2 Nefi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink) – Swahili

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I Glory in My Jesus Shirt

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in English, white ink on Dark Chocolate: “I glory in my Jesus”, 2 Nephi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink)

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About the mission

The Kenya Kisumu Mission is based in Kisumu, a city on the shores of Lake Victoria in western Kenya. Kisumu is known as the Lakeside City and is about 24 kilometers south of the equator.

Swahili and English are spoken in the mission. Swahili is widely used in everyday life, while English is also an official language of Kenya and is common in education and public life.

At a glance

Country: Kenya
Main city: Kisumu (397,957 urban residents, 2019)
Time zone: East Africa Time (UTC+3)
Climate: Tropical rainforest climate with rainfall throughout the year
Church in Kenya: 19,206 members, 3 stakes, 69 congregations
FamilySearch centers: 5

A short history of the area

British explorers identified Kisumu in early 1898 as a possible railway terminus and port. The railway reached the Kisumu pier on December 20, 1901, and the town was briefly called Port Florence. It returned to the name Kisumu in 1903.

The area was occupied by the Luo community when Europeans first settled there. Kisumu later grew as a center for trade, shipping, and agricultural produce from the Nyanza and Western regions. It became a municipal board in 1940, a municipal council in 1960, and a city in 1996.

The Church here

1970sAmerican USAID employees and their families held Church services in their homes in Kenya.
1979The first African converts in Kenya were baptized.
1980Elder Farrell and Sister Blanch McGhie became the first two missionaries to arrive in Kenya.
1981Branches were created in Nairobi and Kiboko.
1991The Church received official recognition in Kenya.
1991Missionary headquarters were established in Nairobi.
2001The Nairobi Kenya Stake was organized on September 9 as the first stake in Kenya.

Temples nearby

Kampala Uganda Temple

Announced · About 155 miles from Kisumu

Nairobi Kenya Temple

Dedicated May 18, 2025 · About 165 miles from Kisumu

The Book of Mormon here

Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.

Swahili Read it free → English Read it free →

Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Before you go

Phrases to learn

JamboHello
HabariHow are you? or What is the news?
AsanteThank you
KaribuWelcome

Foods to try

Ugali (a firm cornmeal dish often served with vegetables or meat)
Nyama choma (roasted meat)
Sukuma wiki (cooked leafy greens)
Chapati (soft, layered flatbread)

Fun facts

Kisumu was briefly renamed Port Florence before returning to its original name.
Kisumu hosted the first flight in Kenya, and the current police workshop was the country’s first hangar.
Kisumu is 24 kilometers south of the equator.

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