Maurice Michael Otunga

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Styles of Maurice Cardinal Otunga

Reference style	His Eminence
Spoken style	Your Eminence
Informal style	Cardinal
See	Palestrina (suburbicarian)

Cardinal Maurice Michael Otunga (January 1923 – 6 September 2003), Archbishop emeritus of Nairobi and Military Ordinary emeritus for Kenya, was born in Chebukwa, diocese of Kakamega, Kenya.

He was ordained a priest on 3 October 1950. Elected titular bishop of Tacape 17 November 1956 and was consecrated on 25 February 1957. He was transferred to Kisii on 21 May 1960 and on 15 November 1969 was nominated titular Archbishop of Bomarzo and Coadjutor of Nairobi. He became Archbishop of Nairobi on 24 October 1971.

After having finished his studies at Mangu High School, he entered the seminary of Kakamega where he began his philosophy and theology training which he finished at the Gaba national seminary of Kampala, Uganda. He transferred to Rome and was a student at the Pontifical Urban University, where he was ordained a priest in October 1950 and obtained a doctorate in theology. Upon returning in Kenya he was a theology professor for three years at the major diocesan seminary of Kisumu, while he also served as vice-chancellor of the diocesan curia. On 17 November 1956 Pius XII nominated him Auxiliary to the Bishop of Kisumu. Four years later John XXIII transferred him to the new diocese of Kisii, where for nine years he dedicated his pastoral ministry. On 15 November 1969 Paul VI nominated him coadjutor of the Archbishop of Nairobi and then in 1971, Archbishop of Nairobi.

He was vice president of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), member of the permanent committee of the Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), and has participated in a various assemblies of the Synod of Bishops and has taken part in the Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod.

Archbishop emeritus of Kenya, 21 April 1997.

Military Ordinary for Kenya, 1981 until 29 August 1997.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Paul VI in the consistory of 5 March 1973 of the Title of St. Gregory Barbarigo alle Tre Fontane.

Otunga died on 6 September 2003.