Ukarimu Spirituality Centre

Ukarimu Spirituality Centre is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in Kenya, East Africa. It was envisioned by the founding Sister as “a living house of prayer among the people.” From its earliest days in the mid-1980s, it has welcomed men and women religious and priests to come for retreats, workshops and days of prayer. Over the years, it has grown to welcome people of all faiths who desire to deepen their relationship with God and others.


Ukarimu Centre is an oasis of quiet and peace nestled in the Baraka hills in the Rift Valley Region of Kenya. Because it is situated about 8000 feet above sea level, its climate is cold in the mornings and evenings, but during the day, it reaches no more than 80 degrees.


After an extensive renovation in 2011, Ukarimu Centre now has forty rooms; all of them with their own bathrooms. Most rooms have two beds in the event of larger groups for workshops and seminars. All the corridors are closed in and this has increased the temperature considerably. There are two chapels, two conference rooms, three sitting rooms with open fire places, two small meeting rooms, and a spacious dining room overlooking the gardens. The grounds have been beautifully landscaped with winding paths, flowing streams, ponds and a prayer labyrinth.


The original chapel with a large window looking out over the beauty of creation is a special place of peace and quiet; and had not been touched by the recent renovations, except that a new tiled roof has been added. This chapel is separate from the main building. The new chapel upstairs, for people who desire to pray at night, is another haven of peace and tranquility.


The Labyrinth at Ukarimu Centre is patterned after the one in Chartres Cathedral in France, built in the early 1200s, when people could no longer go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It is part of Ukarimu landscape and was constructed to help people find their way through the many twists and turns of life to experience God at the center and gain the strength to continue their journey with Him.


In our world today, people are seeking a place of quiet and prayer to reconnect with God and humanity. Many people come aside to rest in God’s presence for spiritual direction, individual guided retreats, group retreats, workshops and seminars to deepen their faith commitment in their places of work and in their families. Since the year 2000, we have offered a day of prayer for the religious and clergy in our area and over the years, several lay people have chosen to pray on that day. If you’re drawn to a place of silence and tranquility to deepen your relationship with God, then contact Ukarimu Spirituality Centre at ukarimucentre@gmail.com, phone: 011-254-736-694-561.