Pope Leo has officially established the Diocese of Kapsabet, carved out of the Diocese of Eldoret. This new ecclesiastical jurisdiction becomes the 28th Catholic diocese in the country and will encompass the entire Nandi County.
Appointed as the founding bishop is Rt. Rev. John Kiplimo Lelei, the current Auxiliary Bishop of Eldoret. With over three decades of dedicated service to the Church, Bishop Lelei brings a wealth of pastoral experience and theological expertise to his new role.
Born on August 15, 1958, in Soy within the Diocese of Eldoret, Bishop Lelei was ordained a priest on October 26, 1985. He pursued his theological education at St. Augustine’s Senior Seminary in Mabanga and St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Nairobi. He later obtained a Doctorate in Theology with a specialization in Liturgy from the Universität Wien in Austria.
Throughout his ministry, Bishop Lelei has served in various pastoral and academic capacities. He began as a Parish Vicar and later became a parish priest in several parishes, including Yamumbi, Chepterit, and Tindinyo. He also served as Vicar Forane of the Deaneries of Kitale and Nandi.
Between 1996 and 2002, he was a parish collaborator in Vienna, Austria, before returning to Kenya to continue his pastoral mission. His academic contributions are equally significant, having taught at institutions such as the AMECEA Pastoral Institute of Gaba, the Institute of Development Studies in Kobujoi, and St. Matthias Mulumba Senior Seminary in Tindinyo, where he also served as a trainer and teacher for nearly a decade.
Bishop Lelei was Rector of St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Nairobi from 2017 to 2023, before becoming Vicar General of the Diocese of Eldoret. His appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Eldoret came in March 2024.
The creation of the Diocese of Kapsabet marks a milestone for Catholics in Nandi County and a new chapter in Bishop Lelei’s life of service to the Church. His vast experience, leadership, and commitment to pastoral care are expected to guide the young diocese into a strong future of faith and community growth.
