Fr Christopher Wanyonyi of Christ the King Cathedral has been laid to rest amid calls to split Bungoma Catholic diocese into two.
Wanyonyi was buried at Kibabii Priests Cemetery on Friday.
He died at a hospital in Eldoret on Sunday night.
Politicians, mourners and faithful who spoke during the requiem mass urged Kakamega Bishop Joseph Obanyi, who is the administrator for Bungoma diocese, to handle the posting of a new parish priest at the cathedral carefully.
Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi said splitting the diocese should be top on the agenda of the Catholic Church.
Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula and Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa said the appointment of a new priest to fill in the gap must be consultative and all-inclusive.
“We urge you as our bishop to hold consultations with us leaders, faithful and all stakeholders before you appoint a successor of Father Wanyonyi. We don’t want you to appoint someone who will be resisted,” Wetang’ula said.
Bungoma diocese cuts across Busia and Bungoma counties, with priests from the two counties wrangling over positions.
Church members have been pushing for the creation of Busia diocese to be hived from the Bungoma diocese.
Christ the King Cathedral Parish, where the Fr Wanyonyi was the head, is the biggest in the diocese and has the highest number of faithful. It’s located at Bungoma town centre.
It has two primary schools - Christ the King Academy and Father Walstra.
Wanyonyi also mobilised members and well-wishers to put up an ultra-modern church at the cathedral.
Those angling to succeed Father Wanyonyi are keen to have control over the massive resources from these institutions.
“We need someone who will fit in Fr Wanyonyi's shoes. We will not allow anyone who is only coming here to enrich themselves from the institutions we sacrificed to put up under the guidance of Fr Wanyonyi,” a church member, who sought anonymity, said.
Over the past few months, the diocese has been rocked by wrangles over the sharing of senior positions between clergy from Busia and Bungoma counties.
The diocese has 38 parishes, with priests from Bungoma heading 11 parishes. Their Busia counterparts head the remaining 27 parishes.
Edited by A.N
