100th Anniversary of Institute Program Celebrated in Nairobi, Kenya

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Every Saturday, in the Nairobi East Stake Center in Nairobi, Kenya, you can find Young Single Adults (YSA) from all over Nairobi, gathered for institute classes, as well as meeting together on-line every Wednesday. On Saturday, the 31^st of January 2026, these YSA joined with local and area leaders to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the institute program of the Church. 

Institute was first established in 1926 at the University of Idaho in the United States, under the guidance of President Heber J. Grant, to provide a spiritual haven for students.  The Nairobi East Stake Center has become that haven for the YSA of Nairobi, and all are welcomed and encouraged to attend.    

One new member of the Church, Frishia Mukami Mwenda, spoke during the devotional of her conversion and what attending institute has meant to her relating, “Institute taught me to listen to the scriptures.  You guys taught me to listen to others.  You also taught me to listen to the deep inner voice, the one that I usually overlooked.  But the greatest lesson of all was the lesson that was shown and not just spoken.  It was the lesson of new faith.  I remember on 6^th December, my journey reached a very beautiful culmination, I got baptized.  It’s because of the lessons I got from this room, and from the missionaries, and from you guys, and it was my examination, and it was my new beginning, and it was my homecoming.  Campus Institute is a bridge between my curiosity and my convictions.  This is where I met new people, a new source, and maybe the company I was looking for.  I finally found it.”

Another YSA, James Kamia Sadick, spoke of his personal growth through attending institute, and encouraged youth and YSA alike to make seminary and institute a part of their lives saying, “Consider attendance at seminary for youth and institute classes for young adults.  These practices may seem to be small and simple; over time they result in powerful spiritual uplift and growth.  This occurs because each of these small and simple things invites the companionship of the Holy Ghost.  That is the power which enlightens us and guides us into truth. …Coming is very simple, but it is impactful.  Personally, I am not the same person I was a year ago.  I’m a better person now and it’s because of the things I learned here.”

Not only did the congregation hear from the YSA but they were also taught by stake and area leaders.  Fredrick B. Shamola, President of the Nairobi Kenya South Stake, assured the YSA that “If you attend institute, you may be blessed.  You will be protected.  There is no better place that you can be.” 

Following President Shamola, Sister Eunice Mukasa, wife of Denis Mukasa, Nairobi East Stake President, related her experiences in institute saying, “When I first joined institute, I honestly thought it would just be another class.  Good lessons, scriptures, maybe some history, but institute became much more than that for me.  It became a place of spiritual grounding and belonging.  I think one of the things that made me stay in the Church is friendship, the people that I met during institute and the YSA activities.”

She added that “One of the blessings of institute is the people.  Being surrounded by others who are striving to live the Gospel has reminded me that I am not alone on this covenant path.  The discussions, the shared experiences, and even the challenges we talk through together, strengthen my faith and give me courage to live the Gospel in this changing world.”

Following his wife’s remarks, President Mukasa spoke of how institute can prepare young adults for the future saying, “In our country Kenya, and across the continent and globe, institute has been instrumental in preparing future leaders, educators, professionals, and parents.”  He emphasized that “At the heart of the institute program is Jesus Christ.  Every lesson, discussion, and devotional, point students to Him, His life, His teachings, His atonement, and His living presence in our lives.  In a world filled with competing voices and shifting values, institutes help anchor young adults in eternal truth.” 

President Mukasa ended his remarks testifying that “This is the place, and this is the time, and you are the ones, to learn the Gospel and to prepare to move the Church forward.”  Adding that “We are born at such a time as this, not by accident, but for a reason, to prepare to play your part in the preparation of the Church for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The final speaker was Elder Thierry Mutombo, General Authority Seventy and President of the Africa Central Area.  He taught, “The things that matter most are the things that last for eternity.”  He encouraged those present to live lives of integrity, honesty, and purity, observing, “You are very smart, you have been blessed with great talents, and then you hope to succeed, and here’s the secret; come to Christ.  Life without Christ is misery, but life with Christ is filled with joy and happiness, despite the challenges that you might face.”   He pled, “Please choose Jesus Christ, let Him be your influence and learn from His example. You are a generation that will change the world, but only if you stand as men and women of integrity and honesty.” 

Elder Mutombo then engaged the YSA in a question-and-answer discussion which was followed, to his surprise, by a singing of the “Happy Birthday” song in celebration of his birthday which was that very day. 

Following the closing hymn and prayer the YSA gathered outside the stake center for a group photo, after which they were treated to refreshments and time for socializing.