During the National Prayer Day held on Saturday, 4th October 2025, at the Subukia National Marian Shrine, His Grace Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba, Chair of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), announced an important directive concerning the wine used in the celebration of the Holy Mass in all Roman Catholic churches across Kenya. The Archbishop emphasized the need for greater accountability and authenticity in the preparation and use of sacramental wine within the liturgy.
According to the directive, all altar wine used for Holy Mass in Kenya must now bear two official identifiers: the Coat of Arms of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and the signature of the Chairman of the Bishops’ Conference. This measure has been introduced to standardize the production and distribution of altar wine, ensuring that it meets the purity and canonical requirements of the Roman Catholic Church.
The new regulation serves as a reminder of the sacredness of the Eucharistic celebration and the Church’s responsibility to safeguard the integrity of all sacramental elements. Parishes, dioceses, and religious institutions are therefore instructed to procure only altar wine that bears these two official marks, as a sign of unity, authenticity, and fidelity to the Church’s liturgical norms.