FR. FLORIAN, THE ARISTOCRAT WHO LEFT EUROPE TO SERVE HUMANITY

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Photo credit/Source: Fr. Florian of the Benedictian order


By Thomas Chemelil

Sometime in 1999, I was at St. Benedict's Arror Secondary School. As fate would have it, I was the only teacher on call that day. Tired from the overwhelming heat, I rested under a Mango tree. I savored the delicacies of the Canaan that is Kerio Valley as I cooled my system with juicy 'papai',

My eyes strayed to the distance as I was still savoring the juicy contents of the 'papai'. Out there, a mzungu man who was humbly dressed in faded t-shirt and pants and traditional sandals approached. For a moment, I was lost in thought for I thought that the man could have been a child left behind by colonial forces who were fighting around Kolowa area(God forgive my thoughts then).

The man interrupted my thoughts as he humbly greeted me. Handshakes exchanged, I offered him a chair  as I went for my stock of assorted fruits to welcome him. He introduced himself as Fr. Florian of the Benedictan order. We soon delved into animated chats on matters of mutual international interests. He equally told me that he had come by foot from Iten to Arror as his feet were dusty and he looked physically exhausted.

Surprised, I would later learn that that was the nature of Fr. Florian Von Bayern. Equally shocking was to learn that the humble Father was a German priest from a royal family who had chosen the path of simplicity and service to humanity.

It wards humbling also to note that Fr. Florian trained mechanics, drivers, welders and even established a leather industry at Arror!

What was hilarious also was that Fr. Florian would often join community members to ward off  cattle rustlers by joining the frontline of battle with his makeshift weapons produced from his workshop. Somebody can authenticate this version of the tale.

Fr. Florian left Arror in 1997 and headed to Ilaret in Marsabit where he established a school and a Church. 

To learn that he is no more through Newton Chebii is saddening. Rest in Peace servant of God.

(Photo credit/Sources)

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