Bishop Obanyi Appointed First Metropolitan Archbishop of New Eldoret Archdiocese

Pope Leo XIV has established the Metropolitan Province of Eldoret, comprising the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Eldoret and four suffragan dioceses: Lodwar, Kapsabet, Kitale, and Kericho. Bishop Joseph Obanyi Sagwe, previously Bishop of Kakamega, has been appointed as the first Metropolitan Archbishop of the new province. The announcement was made on November 14, 2026, through an official notification addressed to the Bishops of Kenya by the Chargé d’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Kenya.

The newly established Metropolitan Province of Eldoret marks a significant reorganisation of the Catholic Church’s ecclesiastical structure in Kenya. The dioceses of Lodwar, Kapsabet, and Kitale were previously suffragan sees of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kisumu, while Kericho belonged to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Nairobi. This new configuration aims to strengthen pastoral coordination, collaboration, and communion among the local Churches in the region.

Bishop Obanyi Sagwe was born in 1967 in Kebiro, in the Catholic Diocese of Kisii. He undertook his philosophical studies at St. Augustine Major Seminary, Mabanga, and later studied Theology at St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Nairobi. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Kisii on October 25, 1996, and went on to serve in various capacities, including Parish Vicar, Diocesan Coordinator for Pastoral Care, and Parish Priest of St. Charles Lwanga Cathedral Parish, Kisii.

Bishop Obanyi Sagwe’s appointment as Metropolitan Archbishop follows his service as Apostolic Administrator of Eldoret after Archbishop Dominic Kimengich was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Mombasa. During this transitional period, Bishop Obanyi provided pastoral and administrative leadership to the Diocese of Eldoret. His experience and leadership skills will be crucial in his new role as the head of the Metropolitan Province of Eldoret.

The Diocese of Eldoret, which is now elevated to a Metropolitan Archdiocese, has a rich history dating back to June 29, 1953, when the Apostolic Prefecture of Eldoret was established from territory previously under the Diocese of Kisumu. Over the decades, the Church has continued to expand its missionary and pastoral presence in the region, leading to the establishment of additional dioceses to respond to the growing needs of the faithful.

The establishment of the Metropolitan Province of Eldoret is a significant milestone in the history of the Catholic Church in Kenya, particularly in the western and north-western regions. The new province will enable better coordination and collaboration among the local Churches, ultimately enhancing the pastoral care and services provided to the faithful in the region.

Bishop Obanyi Sagwe’s appointment as the first Metropolitan Archbishop of Eldoret marks another important chapter in his episcopal ministry. With his pastoral and administrative experience, he is well-positioned to lead the newly established ecclesiastical province and foster communion among the four suffragan dioceses.

Key points

• Bishop Joseph Obanyi Sagwe appointed as the first Metropolitan Archbishop of the new Eldoret Archdiocese.
• The Metropolitan Province of Eldoret comprises the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Eldoret and four suffragan dioceses: Lodwar, Kapsabet, Kitale, and Kericho.
• The new province aims to strengthen pastoral coordination, collaboration, and communion among local Churches in the region.