Newly Ordained Kenyan Bishop Striving for “a prosperous Diocese”, Urges Unity of Purpose

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“There is a lot we have to do together to fully support our pastoral initiatives and Social development ministries,” Bishop Oseso said, adding, “I will constantly call for your help in prayer, in resource mobilization and in sacrificing your time and treasures.” 

The Kenyan Catholic Church leader who was appointed Bishop for Nakuru Diocese on February 15 thanked members of the Clergy, women and men Religious, and Laity in the Kenyan Diocese for their “tremendous support and encouragement in the days after” his Episcopal appointment was made public. 

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The 55-year-old Catholic Bishop reiterated the needed for working and focusing “on a future together, guided by the will of God and his word”.

“I will continue to count on your support and prayers. In fact, today I ask you to please pray even more intensely for my intentions and those of our Diocese,” Bishop Oseso said.

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He pledged to promote the virtue of listening in his Episcopal ministry, and “to do all that is within my power to serve you as my brothers and sisters.”

“I take this humbling responsibility ready to listen to you and to journey with you,” Bishop Oseso said, adding, “Together we can build our houses and family, and together we will find solutions to our challenges.”

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He went on to urge Kenyan politicians to be at the service of the citizens.

“My appeal is to unite our people and work for peace, particularly,” he said, and added, “Let us also join hands to provide the essential services of health, education and water to our people. In the campaign period, you made huge promises. Let us now work together to realize these promises.”

He continued, “I honestly call on your cooperation, support and good relationship for the good of our people.”

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Bishop Oseso, who had been serving as Vicar General of Nakuru Diocese at his appointment succeeds Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba who was transferred to the Archdiocese of Kisumu in November 2021. 

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Born in November 1967 in the Diocese of Nakuru, the newly Consecrated Bishop was ordained a Priest for the same Diocese in June 1995 after his Priestly formation at St. Augustine's Mabanga Senior Seminary in Bungoma Diocese, and at St. Matthias Mulumba Tindinyo Senior Seminary in Eldoret Diocese.

In his maiden speech during the May 6 event, Bishop Oseso entrusted his Episcopal Ministry “to the care and control of the Holy Spirit, to enlighten me all the time and to inspire my ways.”

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He expressed appreciation to Pope Francis for the “humbling honor of appointing me to shepherd the people of this great Diocese.”

“I pledge my fidelity to him and his successors, and I promise to do my best to smell like the sheep as he advises all Priests all the time,” Bishop Oseso said referencing Pope Francis.