Caritas Kitui is the Development Department of the Catholic Diocese of Kitui. Caritas is a Latin word that means Works of Charity/Mercy. The Department was established in 1974 under Community Education whose focus was on Humanitarian Assistance and Establishment of structures for social development. In 1977, the Department became a fully-fledged development department and was consequently renamed as Caritas Kitui in 2010.

Fr. Patrick O’Reilly was the first Development Coordinator serving from 1977 to 1979 and assisted by Mr. Josephat Mulyungi who then took over as the Coordinator following the transfer of Fr. O’Reilly to a different mission. Mr. Josephat Mulyungi was charged with the task of building on the vision of Fr. O’Reilly to have a vibrant development department of the Catholic Diocese of Kitui which he managed successfully until he left the Diocese after serving for 33 years leaving the Department in the hands of Mr. Emanuel Kisangau and Patrick Kiusya who served as development coordinators in acting capacity from 2007 to 2008 and 2008 to 2009 respectively.

In 2008 Rt. Rev. Anthony Muheria was appointed as  the new Bishop of the Catholic Diocese and Mr.  Antony Mbandi as the substantial Development Coordinator in 2009 to 2014. The title for the office of development Coordinator has since changed to Caritas Director as depicted in her first 2010 strategic plan. Currently Ms. Florence Ndeti is the Caritas Director.

On 29th of August 2020, Rt. Rev. Joseph Mwongela was ordained as the new Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kitui.