Pope Leo XIV Erects Kapsabet Catholic Diocese in Kenya, Appoints Pioneer Bishop

The pioneer Local Ordinary of the new Diocese, Bishop Lelei, was born in August 1958 in the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret.

He was ordained a Priest for his native Diocese in October 1985 after completing his philosophical and theological studies from St. Augustine's Mabanga Senior Seminary in Kenya’s Bungoma Diocese, and St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Nairobi Catholic Archdiocese, respectively.

As a Priest, he served in various capacities, including Parish Priest and Dean. 

The holder of a Doctorate in Theology from the University of Vienna in Austria has also served as Rector at St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, lecturer at the Pastoral Institute of Gaba in Eldoret under the auspices of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) and at St. Matthias Mulumba Tindinyo Senior Seminary among other Priestly duties.

The Kenyan Catholic Church leader, who had been serving as Vicar General in Eldoret Diocese before his Episcopal appointment as Auxiliary Bishop in March 2024 was Consecrated Bishop  in May 2024 and assigned the Titular See of Mons in Numidia, from which he has been freed with his appointment as Local Ordinary of Kapsabet Diocese. 

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Speaking to journalists on July 10 shortly after his appointment as pioneer Bishop of Kapsabet Diocese had been made public, Bishop Lelei said that he had mixed feelings of joy and apprehension because of the responsibilities that come with being at the helm of a Diocese. 

He said he would rely on the grace of God and added, “This is not my work alone; it is the work of the people, and I will serve alongside the Priests and the faithful.”

The pioneer Bishop of Kapsabet lauded the people of God in the Kenyan region for their faith, which he said is manifested in the increasing number of Christians. “Faith is deepening, and we can see the fruits in the many Priests, women and men Religious, and baptized believers,” he said.

Addressing him to the people of God to be under his pastoral care, Bishop Lelei urged unity and collaboration. He said, “The new Diocese of Kapsabet is a gift born from the prayers, perseverance, and faith of the Christians of Kapsabet; a faith that has been evident for years.”

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.