Fr Franco Crabu at his art gallery at Christ the King Catholic Parish in Nanyuki on June 6, 2018.
When Father Franco Crabu departed from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on 29 October, heading back to his motherland after nearly four decades of pastoral work in Kenya, he left his parishioners with more than fond memories.
Having served at Nanyuki Catholic Parish in Laikipia County under the Nyeri Archdiocese for 38 years, the Italian priest had won the great admiration of his flock, who affectionately referred to him as ‘Babaa’. Before travelling to Nairobi to catch his flight, Father Crabu conducted an emotional Mass at Christ the King Catholic Church. Raw emotion was evident, with many of those in attendance unable to believe that Babaa was leaving.
A sculpture by Fr Franco Crabu depicting the story of how the angel Gabriel presented the good news to Mary mother of Jesus at Christ the King Catholic Parish in Nanyuki
“I will be travelling back home tonight to serve at the Cagliari, Sardinia diocese in Italy. It is painful to leave Nanyuki, a place I have called home for decades. I will truly miss you all. We have grown together, both physically and spiritually,” Fr Crabu told the faithful on that rainy morning.
This was no ordinary mass, but a special one to celebrate a shepherd whose ministry went beyond the pulpit. With his period of service in Kenya having come to an end, and with the news having been communicated two weeks earlier, many would not want to miss the farewell Mass.
When the priest stepped down from the altar, he was met by a crowd of enthusiastic admirers armed with their phones; everyone was eager to take a photo with him.
“We will come and visit you in Italy. We love you so much,” said a woman, embracing him.
Archbishop Emeritus Peter Kairu offers a piece of cake to outgoing Nanyuki Catholic Parish Priest Franco Crabu during a farewell party organised in his honour at the Christ the King Stadium on October 26, 2025.
So, how did Fr Crabu cultivate such a deep relationship with his congregation? He arrived in Nanyuki in 1987 from Brazil, where he had served for eight years. As well as carrying out his priestly duties, Fr Crabu used his talents to improve the lives of his congregation.
A fountain made by Fr Franco Crabu at Christ the King Catholic Parish in Nanyuki
One popular phrase he often used in his sermons, which would later come to define him, was “Faith without action is dead”. During his sermons, he emphasised that a person who was hungry or emotionally unwell had no energy to listen to the gospel. He called on those serving under him to provide care for the needy before preaching to them.
He was no ordinary clergyman. He did not depend on the offerings to finance church projects. He was a musician and was also involved in fine art. He used his talents to fund-raise in support of church projects, the faithful, and community initiatives. He organised live music concerts, both locally and abroad. The proceeds went towards life-changing projects which now stand majestically across the diocese.
The social institutions he built to support the needy are among the projects that have come to define Fr Crabu’s pastoral calling.
Upon his posting to Kenya, he was confronted with the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS. Patients were subject to significant stigma and neglect. There were no antiretroviral drugs. Some HIV patients were even abandoned by their families.
Fr Crabu visited neglected patients in the slums of Likii and Majengo, and out of compassion, he single-handedly established the Nanyuki Huruma Home to give them social support. Here, the society’s outcasts found love and comfort from Catholic nuns.
The home was later converted into a hospital. Over the years, the hospital has evolved to become one of the most popular medical facilities in the region. It was later renamed Mother Angela Hospital and now attracts patients from as far as Marsabit, Isiolo, Meru and Nyeri counties.
He financed these projects with money he realised after selling his music albums and artworks that included drawings and sculptures. Yet, the priest never attended any art school.
“I use my artistic talent to serve the Lord, besides preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Images and music have been part of my instruments of preaching,” the priest told the Nation in 2018.
In 1979, he launched his debut album, Try to Smile. He later produced 27 others. His most popular one is Senza Dio non so cantare (Without God, I am not able to sing). Fr Crabu has organised many live performances during his fundraising campaigns.
He was described as a compassionate man who valued accountability. “I’ve known him since he arrived in Nanyuki. He is also keen on proper record-keeping. He values accountability. He lays bare all that is contributed by the faithful. If there is a decision to support the needy, it is done openly,” says Peter Wang’ombe, a resident of Nanyuki.
Ms Karen Gakuya, a parishioner at the Christ the King Catholic Church, offers her ring to be blessed by Fr Franco Crabu a few hours before he flew back to Italy on October 29, 2025.
Mr Wang’ombe says it was under Fr Crabu’s leadership that some 27 prayer houses were built. Three more parishes were also established.
His favourite music instruments are the guitar and piano. His latest song, released last month, is titled Speranza (Hope). He fluently speaks six languages, including Kiswahili. He also speaks a bit of the Kikuyu language.
“As far as I can remember, about 20 of these prayer houses were built through his personal efforts, with minimal financial contribution from the congregants. He has left us with three new strong parishes – Matanya, St Theresa Equator and Kalalu.
Nanyuki Deanery Catholic Action Coordinator Cecilia Wambui will always remember Fr Crabu as a simple and hardworking man who was passionate about evangelising using art and music.
“He had no attachment to earthly things. He worked until the last minute before leaving for Italy”.
Ms Wambui is one of the 367 catechists who were recruited and trained by Fr. Crabu for the wider outreach on evangelisation work.
The catechists were trained at the Pastoral Centre built under the leadership of Fr Crabu, who realised that he could not reach the 33 outstations. The catechists are now qualified to conduct church services in the absence of a priest.
The immediate former chairman of Nanyuki Parish, Samson Mburugu, says the legacy of Fr Crabu will remain for generations owing to his initiatives driven by his love for the needy and the underprivileged. Emmaus Home for the homeless will remain an enduring legacy.
Fr Franco Crabu stands in front of his own sand painting at Christ the King Catholic Parish in Nanyuki on June 6, 2018.
“Babaa, your dedication to uplifting the poor and downtrodden has left an imprint on our parish. The Emmaus Home for the homeless and ageing, among other notable community projects, has shown and taught us the true meaning of living the gospel of compassion,” says Mr Mburugu.
The home located about three kilometres from Nanyuki Town has a capacity to support 50 needy and elderly people. Currently, it is hosting six men and two women aged 60 and 92, who found themselves in the streets after being neglected by their immediate family.
A fountain made by Fr Franco Crabu at Christ the King Catholic Parish in Nanyuki
Youths from all faiths and denominations, including Muslims and Indians, will remember the long-serving priest for his annual talent search extravaganza, where every August, they graced the 5,000-capacity stadium built by Fr Crabu to showcase their talent in music and performing arts.
At the Christ the King Catholic Church, where Fr Crabu operated for 38 years, stand numerous sculptures, made of metal and mortar, portraying diverse Biblical messages. Most of them stand at the Mediation Gardens, which the priest established to help the parishioners visit and make personal life reflections to strengthen their faith in Christ.
