Erection of the Diocese of Kapsabet (Kenya) and appointment of the first Bishop
The Holy Father has erected the new Diocese of Kapsabet (Kenya, Africa), with territory taken from the Diocese of Eldoret, making it a suffragan of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kisumu (Kenya).
The Holy Father has appointed His Excellency Mgr. John Kiplimo Lelei, currently Auxiliary Bishop of Eldoret, as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Kapsabet, at the same time releasing him from the titular see of Monte di Numidia.
Curriculum vitae
Bishop John Kiplimo Lelei was born on August 15, 1958, in Soy, Diocese of Eldoret. He studied philosophy at St. Augustine's Senior Seminary in Mabanga and theology at St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Nairobi.
He was ordained a priest on 26 October 1985 for the Diocese of Eldoret.
He held the following positions and carried out further studies: Doctorate in Theology, with specialization in Liturgy, at the University of Vienna ; Parish Vicar in Suwerwa and Chepterit (1985-1987); Parish Priest in Yamumbi, Suwerwa, Chepterit and Tachasis, and Vicar Forane of the Deaneries of Kitale and Nandi (1987-1996); Parish Collaborator of St. Brigitta and Zum Gottlichen Erloser , in the Archdiocese of Vienna (1996-2002); Parish Priest of St. Patrick in Kapcherop (2002-2003) and of St. Boniface in Tindinyo (2003-2007); Teacher at the Institutes: AMECEA Pastoral Institute in Gaba (2003-2004); Institute of Development Studies in Kobujoi (2004-2009) and at St. Matthias Mulumba Senior Seminary- Tindinyo (2003-2008); Parish Priest of St. Peter’s in Kapsabet (2007-2008); Teacher and Formator at St. Matthias Mulumba Senior Seminary in Tindinyo (2008-2017); Rector of St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Nairobi (2017-2023) and Vicar General of Eldoret.
On 27 March 2024 he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Eldoret, receiving the titular see of Monte di Numidia; he was ordained Bishop on the following 25 May.
Statistical Data
The new diocese of Kapsabet [Kapsabeten(sis)] coincides with the civil district of Nandi (locally called Nandi County ). It is a suffragan of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kisumu. The seat of the diocese is the city of Kapsabet. The cathedral church of the new ecclesiastical district is the current parish church of St. Peter , located in the same town.
Eldoret before | Kapsabet | Eldoret after the division | |
Surface | 9,254 km² | 2,888.4 km² | 6,365.6 km² |
Population | 2,503,377 | 885,711 | 1,619,666 |
Catholics | 895,000 | 313,655 | 581,345 |
Parishes | 101 | 36 | 65 |
Diocesan Priests | 136 | 44 | 92 |
Missionary Priests | 28 | 8 | 20 |
Deacons | 8 | - | 8 |
Religious | 31 | - | 31 |
Religious | 255 | 44 | 211 |
Seminarians | 84 | 29 | 55 |
Catechists | 921 | 316 | 605 |
Educational Institutions | 1083 | 326 | 757 |
Charitable Institutions | 24 | 8 | 16 |
Source: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2025/07/10/0490/00895.html#primo
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