Outgoing Sulumeti to consecrate cleric

The new catholic bishop of Kakamega diocese Joseph Obanyi (right) acknowledging greetings from cheerful catholics when the pope's representative to Kenya his excellency apostolic Nuncio Charles Daniel Balva named him before the congregation at Bishop Nicholas Stam pastoral centre in Kakamega. PHOTO | ISAAC WALE |

What you need to know:

  • The diocesan secretariat in Kakamega was abuzz with activity as choirs, ushers and Mass servers rehearsed.
  • Bishop Philip Sulumeti will hand over the baton to Fr Joseph Sagwe Obanyi. President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to attend.

Preparations are in top gear for the consecration of a new bishop for the Catholic Diocese of Kakamega at Bukhungu Stadium Saturday.

Bishop Philip Sulumeti will hand over the baton to Fr Joseph Sagwe Obanyi. President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to attend.

Fr Obanyi was appointed the second bishop of the diocese on December 5, last year succeeding 77-year-old Sulumeti. The diocese was established in 1975.

Fr Obanyi will be received by priests from Kakamega at Kiboswa today and taken to St Peter’s Minor Seminary, Mukumu, for an overnight stay. 

ABUZZ WITH ACTIVITY

The diocesan secretariat in Kakamega was abuzz with activity as choirs, ushers and Mass servers rehearsed.

Bishop Sulumeti will be the principal consecrator at the ordination. The man of cloth has served the church for more than 40 years.

Fr Obanyi was vicar-general of Kisii Catholic Diocese before his new appointment.

He was born in Nyakemincha village, Nyamira County, on March 10, 1967. He went to Nyakemincha/Ibara primary school and later joined St John’s Minor Seminary-Rukwaro, Migori.

He studied for his A levels at the Mother of Apostles Seminary in Eldoret. In 1989, he joined St Mary’s Seminary in Molo, Nakuru, for spiritual formation and was ordained a deacon in 1995 and a priest on October 25, 1996.

Fr Jeremiah Nyakundi succeeds Fr Obanyi as vicar-general.