Birth.

January, 1923, Chebukwa, diocese of Kisumu, Kenya. He was the son of Wasike Lusweti 'Sudi', a traditional paramount chief of the Bakhone (or Bukusu) who had about seventy recognized as true wives, and diviner Rosa Namisi. He was named "Otunga", which meant a staff on which the elderly or the ill lean for support. The original name was Odunga but the Lubukusu language does not have a "d" sound, so it was eventually changed to Otunga. He converted to Catholicism and was baptized in 1935 in Kabibii, either by Father Leo Pulaert or Fent; he took the name Maurice Michael. His father was baptized in 1963 and his mother in 1965.

Education. Mill Hill School, Kibabii, 1931-1933; Mill Hill School, Sijei, 1933-1934; back to Kisibii, 1934; Holy Ghost School, Kabaa, 1935-1939; Holy Ghost School, Mangu, 1939-1943; St. Peter the Apostle Minor Seminary, Mukumu; Major Seminary at Ggaba, Kampala, Uganda (philosophy and theology); in 1947, he declined to become paramount chief when his father retired; Pontifical Urbanian Athenaeum "De Propaganda Fide," Rome, 1947-1950 (licentiate in theology, September 1951).

Priesthood. Ordained, October 3, 1950, Rome, by Cardinal Pietro Fumasoni Biondi, prefect of the S.C. for the Propagation of the Faith. Further studies in Rome, 1950-1951. Traveled in Europe for a few months in 1951, visiting northern Italy, Paris, Lourdes, England and Ireland. Returned to Kenya in 1951 and was professor of theology at St. Peter's Seminary, Kakamega, for three years, 1951-1954. Secretary to James Know, titular archbishop of Melitene, apostolic delegate in British Africa, 1954-1956; resided in Mombasa; he traveled extensively in Africa with the delegate. Assigned to the parish of Makupa, Nairobi, 1956.

Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Tacape and appointed auxiliary of Kisumu, November 17, 1956. Consecrated, February 25, 1957, seminary grounds, Kakamega, by James Robert Knox, titular archbishop of Melitene, apostolic delegate in British Africa, assisted by John Joseph McCarthy, archbishop of Nairobi, and by Frederick Hall, bishop of Kisumu. Transferred to diocese of Kisii, May 21, 1960. Attended the Second Vatican Council, 1962-1965. First chancellor of the University of Eastern Africa. Military vicar of Kenya, January 20, 1964. Promoted to titular archbishop of Bomarza and appointed coadjutor of Nairobi, with right of succession, November 15, 1969. Succeeded to the metropolitan see of Nairobi, October 24, 1971. President of Episcopal Conference of Kenya. Vice-president of the Association of Episcopal Conferences of East Africa (AMECEA). Member of the Permanent Commission of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of March 5, 1973; received the red biretta and the title of S. Gregorio Barbarigo alle Tre Fontane, March 5, 1973. Attended the III Ordinary Assembly of the World Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 27 to October 26, 1974; the IV Ordinary Assembly of the World Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 30 to October 29, 1977; member of its general secretariat, 1977-1980. Participated in the conclave of August 25 to 26,1978, which elected Pope John Paul I. Participated in the conclave of October 14 to 16,1978, which elected Pope John Paul II. Attended the First Plenary Assembly of the Sacred College of Cardinals, Vatican City, November 5 to 9, 1979; the V Ordinary Assembly of the World Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 26 to October 25, 1980; member of its general secretariat, 1980-1983. Military ordinary for Kenya, January 24, 1981. Member of the Council of Cardinals for the Study of the Organizational and Economic Problems of the Holy See, May 31, 1981. Attended the Special Assembly of the World Synod of Bishops for Africa, Vatican City, April 10 to May 8, 1994. Resigned the pastoral government of the archdiocese, May 14, 1997. Resigned the military ordinariate, September 13, 1997. After his retirement, he decided to live in a home for the aged. Lost the right to participate in the conclave when turned 80 years old, January, 2003. He spent his last days until he died at Nyumba ya Wazee home for the elderly. He was the first Kenyan to become a priest, a bishop, an archbishop and cardinal.

Death. September 6, 2003, 6:45 a.m., of cardiac arrest, at the intensive care unit of Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Nairobi. Buried, according to his will, in Saint Austin's Cemetery, Msongari, Nairobi. In February 2005, the starting of plans for his beatification were announced. The first step is the reburial of his body at Resurrection Gardens in Karen, Nairobi. This was immediately opposed by the Bukusu community, from which the late cardinal came, arguing that the move was likely to bring a curse on the community.

Bibliography. Ogola, Margaret A. and Roche, Margaret. Cardinal Otunga : a gift of grace. Nairobi, Kenya : Paulines Publications Africa, 1999.