Kenyan Bishop-Elect Thanks Pope Leo XIV for Episcopal Appointment, Grateful for Archbishop’s Mentorship

Kisumu, 15 January, 2026 / 6:09 PM

The Auxiliary Bishop-elect of Kisumu Catholic Archdiocese has expressed gratitude for his Episcopal appointment, and credited Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba as his mentorship as he prepares to assist him in shepherding the people of God in the Kenyan Metropolitan See. 

Speaking to Capuchin TV about his envisioned Episcopal Consecration set for February 27, Mons. Vincent Odundo described Archbishop Muhatia as “a father”. 

“I thank his Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, who has entrusted this responsibility to me to serve the people of God in the Archdiocese of Kisumu, to assist the Archbishop of Kisumu, most Reverend Maurice Muhatia Makumba,” Mons. Odundo said.

He added, “I also thank our Archbishop who has been, and is still our shepherd. In a very special way, he has mentored me, journeyed with me, and I want to thank him for being a father to me.”

The Kenyan Bishop-elect’s Consecration is to commence on February  26 with solemn vespers that are set to take place at St. Theresa’s Kibuye Cathedral of Kisumu Archdiocese from 5 p.m.

The Episcopal Ordination is to be held on February 27 at Tumsifu Centre of Kisumu Archdiocese during Holy Mass to be presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio in Kenya, Archbishop Hubertus van Megen.

To conclude the celebrations, a thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration is to be held on March 1 at St. Theresa’s Kibuye Cathedral.

Extending his invitation to the celebrations, Mons. Odundo said, “I invite all of you…I request that you continue praying for me, that I may do the will of God.”

Until his Episcopal appointment on 14 December 2025, Bishop-elect Odundo was serving as Vicar General of Kisumu Archdiocese and Parish Priest of St. James the Apostle Magadi.

When Consecrated Bishop, Mons. Odundo will assist Archbishop Muhatia in shepherding the people of God in the Kenyan Metropolitan See, which has some 2.1 million Catholics spread across 63 Parishes, according to 2024 Vatican statistics.