ST. PAUL'S UNIVERSITY The University of Choice!

Are you a postgraduate student conducting research at the intersection of faith and science? Or perhaps a church leader and scientist looking to inspire your congregation? Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science (ECLAS) – Africa Hub is thrilled to announce two major grant opportunities for 2026-2027.

Based at St. Paul’s University, ECLAS Africa is dedicated to developing a contextual theology of science that strengthens African communities by "engaging globally and acting locally". We are currently seeking expressions of interest for the following programs:

1. Research Grants for Postgraduate Students

We are offering financial support for fieldwork expenditures to students dedicated to bridging the gap between Science and Theology.

• Eligibility: Postgraduate students at the thesis/dissertation writing stage, targeting graduation in 2026 or 2027.
• Award Amount: Up to KES 185,000 per successful applicant.
• Availability: Grants are available for four students.
• How to Apply: Submit a brief research concept including your project title, school details, denomination, supervisors, and a concept paper (problem statement, objectives, design, etc.).

2. Scientists in Congregations (2026-2027)

This initiative invites church leaders who are also scientists (e.g., nurses, engineers, dietitians) to create creative projects that foster scientific engagement within their local communities.

• Focus: We are looking for projects that build confidence around scientific issues and produce resources for wider congregational use.
• Award Amount: Funding of up to KES 350,000 per project.
• Project Duration: Maximum of 6 months.
• Availability: Funding is available for 6 projects, with a special encouragement for applications from African Instituted Churches.
• How to Apply: Submit a Letter of Intent (max 2 pages) detailing your project title, the specific Christian community involved, an introduction (500 words), and a breakdown of your intended outcomes, budget, and timeline.

Important Deadlines & Contact Information

The deadline for both expressions of interest is 25th March 2026.

• Submit to: Director, ECLAS Africa Hub
• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Learn More: Visit our website at eclasafrica.org

Join us in fostering thoughtful, prayerful communities working at the leading edge of science and faith.

The atmosphere at the Limuru Campus was one of profound gratitude and academic solemnity as the St. Paul’s University (SPU) community gathered to honor the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Canon Prof. James Kombo, Ph.D. After a distinguished five-year tenure defined by steady growth and spiritual depth, Prof. Kombo’s "reign" reached its official conclusion in a ceremony that perfectly mirrored his leadership style: orderly, Christ-centered, and deeply rooted in community.

A Tribute to Sacrificial Leadership

The ceremony was graced by the top leadership of the University and the Church. His Grace The Most Rev. Dr. Jackson Ole Sapit, the University Council Chairman and Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya, led the tributes with a powerful reflection on Prof. Kombo’s character.

The Archbishop specifically applauded Prof. Kombo for his "sacrificial leadership," noting that his time at the helm was characterized by a rare selflessness.

"Leadership in a Christian institution is not merely about management; it is a ministry," His Grace remarked. "Prof. Kombo has navigated the complexities of higher education with a compass guided by faith in God. He has sacrificed personal comfort for the sake of the SPU mission, ensuring that our students graduate not just with degrees, but with a firm moral foundation."

The Symbolic Handover: Continuity in Excellence

A pivotal moment in the ceremony occurred when the University Chancellor, Hon. Prof. Margaret Kobia, Ph.D., presided over the official handover of the Instruments of Power.

In a tradition-steeped exchange, Rev. Canon Prof. Kombo formally passed the symbols of authority—representing the university’s charter, its seal, and its academic mandate—to the incoming Ag. Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Esther Mombo.

This transition marks a new chapter for SPU. Prof. Mombo, a respected scholar and long-standing member of the SPU community, takes the mantle with the full blessing of the Council and the Chancellor.

Reflections on the "Kombo Era" (2021–2026)

As we look back on the last five years, several key pillars define the legacy Prof. Kombo leaves behind:

1. Spiritual Stewardship

Prof. Kombo ensured that the "St. Paul’s Identity" remained vibrant. He championed the integration of faith and learning, ensuring that the chapel remained the heartbeat of the campus.

2. Academic Resilience

Navigating the university through the evolving landscape of Kenyan higher education, he prioritized research, faculty development, and the maintenance of the high standards that have made SPU a preferred institution for students across Africa.

3. Institutional Stability

Through his collaborative approach with the University Council, Prof. Kombo fostered an environment of transparency and fiscal responsibility, leaving the institution on a solid footing for his successor.

The Leadership at a Glance

A Fond Farewell from the SPU Family

From the faculty who served under him to the students who were inspired by his lectures and the alumni who watched the university thrive, the message remains the same: Thank you.

Prof. Kombo’s departure is bittersweet, but his footprint on the Limuru hills and beyond is indelible. As he moves on to his next calling, the SPU community remains united in prayer for his continued success and impact.

"Well done, good and faithful servant. You have led us with grace, and we are better because of your time with us."

St. Paul’s University recently hosted the Post-Nicaea Conference, an international theological gathering that brought together scholars, clergy, students, and ecumenical partners from across the world to reflect on the enduring legacy of the Council of Nicaea and its relevance for contemporary social transformation.
Held under the theme “Theological Bridges: Nicaea in Conversation with Decolonial Theology and Contemporary Movements for Social Change,” the conference built on the momentum of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, commemorated globally in 2025 during the World Council of Churches Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order in Egypt.
More than 100 participants from diverse ecclesial, academic, and cultural backgrounds gathered at St. Paul’s University in Limuru for a week of vibrant dialogue, theological reflection, and ecumenical engagement. The conference emphasized intergenerational conversations, bringing together established scholars, church leaders, and emerging theologians.
Key ecumenical partners included the World Council of Churches (WCC), Council for World Mission (CWM), World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), All-Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), and the Orthodox Seminary in Kenya.
With its 125-year legacy of ecumenical witness and theological education for social transformation, St. Paul’s University continues to provide a platform for critical theological conversations that address the pressing realities of our time.

Key Reflections from the Conference

Participants engaged in robust discussions that highlighted several important insights:

• Church and Empire: The Council of Nicaea emerged within complex relationships between church and imperial power, reminding contemporary Christians to remain attentive to the influence of political power in shaping theological discourse.
• The Creed’s Counter-Imperial Witness: Despite imperial oversight, the Nicene Creed affirms a powerful theological claim: Christ—not Caesar—is Lord, offering a vision that challenges unjust power structures.
• Human Dignity and Inclusion: The Nicene faith calls the Church to uphold the dignity of every human being, emphasizing that Christian unity must be inseparable from justice, inclusion, and respect for diverse identities.
• Justice and Peace: Participants affirmed that Christian unity must be expressed through just governance, peacebuilding, and resistance to systemic inequality.
• Holistic Flourishing: Theological reflection must engage contemporary issues such as ecological responsibility, public health, and community well-being, connecting doctrine with everyday lived realities in Africa and beyond.

A Call to Action
The conference concluded with a strong call for the global church to move toward transformative and decolonial theological engagement, including:

• Practical Decoloniality: Moving beyond rhetoric to concrete actions that dismantle colonial patterns in theology and church structures.
• Youth Inclusion: Ensuring that young people are fully involved in leadership, dialogue, and decision-making processes within church and theological spaces.
• Theology for Social Transformation: Reimagining theology as a tool for addressing urgent global challenges such as climate justice, gender justice, racial justice, and economic inequality.
• A Prophetic Church: Re-envisioning the church as a courageous space that centres marginalized voices and speaks prophetically in pursuit of justice and peace.
• Listening as a Spiritual Practice: Cultivating deep listening across generations and cultures as a pathway to healing divisions and fostering collaboration.

Looking Ahead
The Post-Nicaea Conference reaffirmed that the legacy of Nicaea is not simply a historical event but a living theological resource. In conversation with decolonial theology and contemporary movements for justice, the Nicene vision continues to inspire the church toward unity, justice, and transformative witness in today’s world.
Through gatherings such as this, St. Paul’s University remains committed to fostering theological dialogue that bridges tradition and contemporary realities, shaping a church that speaks meaningfully to the challenges of our time.

St. Paul’s University prepares to bid a heartfelt farewell to our outgoing Vice Chancellor, Rev. Canon Prof. James Kombo, Ph.D. After five years of dedicated service, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to the SPU community, Prof. Kombo’s tenure is coming to a close.

To celebrate the milestones achieved and the lives touched during his leadership, we invite all staff, students, and alumni to a special farewell ceremony.

Event Details

• Date: Wednesday, 25th February 2026
• Time: 11:00 a.m.
• Location: Student Amphitheatre, Limuru Campus
• Officiated by: The University Council Members

Reflecting on Five Years of Leadership
Prof. Kombo’s "5-year reign" as Vice Chancellor has been defined by a deep integration of academic rigor and spiritual foundation. Under his guidance, St. Paul’s University has strengthened its position as a leading private institution in the region, fostering an environment where students don't just earn degrees, but build character.

Whether it was navigating the complexities of modern higher education or engaging with students in the amphitheatre, his presence has been a cornerstone of the Limuru campus experience.

Join the Celebration
This ceremony is more than a formal goodbye; it is an opportunity for the SPU family to gather and express gratitude.

• Alumni: Come back to the Limuru hills to reconnect and honor the man who helped shape the current trajectory of your alma mater.
• Students: Join your peers in celebrating a leader who consistently prioritized the student experience.
• Staff: Let us stand together to recognize a colleague and leader who served with distinction.

"A leader’s legacy is not just in the structures built, but in the people empowered."

We look forward to seeing the amphitheatre filled with the voices and faces of those who have been part of this remarkable journey.

See you there!