KAPSABET, Kenya – Bishop John Lelei will on Saturday be installed as the first head of the newly created Catholic Diocese of Kapsabet, established by Pope Leo XIV on July 10.
Lelei, who has been serving as auxiliary bishop in Eldoret, was appointed on the same day to lead the new diocese, which was carved out of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret.
The installation mass will be held at the Eliud Kipchoge Sports Complex in Kapsabet, preceded by a series of ceremonies beginning Friday.
Eldoret Bishop Dominic Kimengich said the church has organised special prayers and farewell events in Eldoret, including a procession to escort Bishop Lelei to his new diocese.
The ceremonies will start on Friday with mass at the Eldoret cathedral, followed by a symbolic procession to Mulango—the border point between Uasin Gishu and Nandi counties—along the Eldoret-Kapsabet road.
In the evening, Bishop Lelei will be received at St Peter’s Church in Kapsabet for prayers ahead of the installation.
The Diocese of Kapsabet spans about 2,888 square kilometres and serves a population of more than 885,000 people, of whom 313,655 are Catholic. Its cathedral will be St Peter’s Parish in Kapsabet town.
Born in Soy, Uasin Gishu County, Bishop Lelei was consecrated in May 2024. On his appointment, he expressed gratitude for the role, saying: “I thank God for the opportunity to serve as shepherd for his people in the new Diocese of Kapsabet.”
Political leaders, led by Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, are expected to attend the installation.
Sang welcomed the bishop’s appointment, commending the Catholic Church for its contribution to national development and spiritual guidance.
“We are ready to work with and support the new bishop as he leads us spiritually in this region,” Sang said.
