Pope Leo XIV has officially created a new Catholic diocese in the Rift Valley region and appointed a bishop to lead it, marking a significant milestone for the Catholic Church in the country.
The announcement was made Thursday by His Excellency Bert Van Megen, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya who said that the new jurisdiction will be known as the Catholic Diocese of Kapsabet.
The current Catholic Diocese of Eldoret was divided into the Diocese of Kapsabet, which will include parishes that are located inside Nandi County’s current administrative borders.
Rt. Rev. John Kiplimo Lelei was named the first bishop of Catholic diocese in the Rift Valley region by Pope Leo XIV. Under his leadership, the Catholic faithful in the area are embarking on a new chapter.
Bishop Lelei was the auxiliary bishop of Eldoret before his appointment. He has been a pivotal figure in the church’s pastoral and administrative responsibilities and is well-known for his dedication to service.
Bishop Lelei, 65, was ordained as a priest in 1985 and has spent nearly 40 years in ministry
He was ordained auxiliary bishop in May 2024, weeks only prior to being promoted to lead the new diocese
The creation of the Diocese of Kapsabet is expected to bring the church closer to the people of Nandi County, with enhanced pastoral care, evangelisation, and outreach in the region.
The appointment was made on July 4, which was a Friday, and Lagho will be part of one of the central governing bodies under the Roman Curia
