Pope Leo erects Diocese of Kapsabet, names John Lelei as first bishop

Pope Leo has officially established the Catholic Diocese of Kapsabet, making it the 28th Catholic diocese in Kenya.

The announcement was made Thursday.

Pope Leo also appointed Rt. Rev. John Kiplimo Lelei as its first bishop.

The new diocese has been carved out of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret and will cover the entire Nandi County.

Bishop Lelei is currently serving as the Auxiliary Bishop of Eldoret and will now take up his new role in the Diocese of Kapsabet.

Born on August 15, 1958, in Soy within the Eldoret Diocese, Bishop Lelei was ordained a priest on October 26, 1985.

He studied philosophy at St. Augustine's Senior Seminary in Mabanga and theology at St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Nairobi. H

e also holds a Doctorate in Theology with a specialization in Liturgy from the Universität Wien.

Bishop Lelei has served in various pastoral and academic capacities, including as parish priest in several parishes such as Yamumbi, Chepterit, and Kapcherop.

He was also a lecturer and rector at the St. Matthias Mulumba Senior Seminary in Tindinyo and served as the Rector of St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Nairobi from 2017 to 2023.

Before his appointment as auxiliary bishop of Eldoret in March 2024, he was the Vicar General of the Diocese of Eldoret.