Pope Leo XIV Appoints Bishop Joseph Obanyi Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret

The Catholic Diocese of Eldoret has an apostolic administrator.

Pope Leo XIV on Saturday, April 25, 2026, appointment Bishop Joseph Obanyi as the Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret.

Bishop Joseph Obanyi of the Kakamega Diocese. He has been appointed the Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret. Photo: Upendo FM/Facebook.

Bishop Obanyi is currently serving at the Catholic Diocese of Kakamega.

“His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Joseph Obanyi of Kakamega as the Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret,” Upendo FM, a radio station owned by the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret said in a post on its Facebook page.

His appointment has been announced on the same day that Bishop Dominic Kimengich was being installed as the Coadjutor Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Mombasa.

Bishop Kimengich Mombasa — Bishop Dominic Kimengich kisses the ground of the Archdiocese of Mombasa, signifying acceptance of his new mission and humble service to God’s people. This profound gesture reflects faith, surrender, and a shepherd’s readiness to walk with the faithful. Photo: Upendo FM/Facebook.

Bishop Obanyi will serve the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret until when the Pope will name a new bishop to take over from Kimengich who has been in charge since 2019.

During his reign, Kimengich initiated the first Eucharistic congress and the first diocesan synod at the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret.

It was also during his time that the foundation stone for the recently completed St John Amani Centre was laid.