Pope Francis Accepts Retirement of Catholic Bishop of Kitale in Kenya, Appoints Successor

Mons. Odonya started his Priestly formation at St. Mary's Propaedeutic Molo Seminary in Kenya's Diocese of Nakuru in 1997. 

He later joined St. Augustine Mabanga Seminary in the Diocese of Bungoma, and St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in the Archdiocese of Nairobi for his philosophical and theological studies, respectively. 

As a Priest, the Bishop-elect has served in various capacities, including Parish Vicar of Kapcherop and Ndalat Parishes in the Diocese of Eldoret; Parish Priest of Kapcherop and Kolongolo, and Chepchoina Parishes of Kitale Diocese and as a Fidei Donum Priest.

Nationally, the alumnus of the Pontifical University of Urbaniana in Rome where he obtained a Licentiate in Missiology in 2018 has served as the President of the Association of Fidei Donum Priests in Kenya, and President of the Diocesan Priestly Association.

At the time of his appointment as Bishop, Mons. Odonya was serving as a Formator at St. Patrick’s Philosophy House in the Archdiocese of Durban, South Africa.

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Once he is Consecrated Bishop, the Kenyan-born Cleric who will become the youngest Catholic Bishop in the East African country will serve as the second Local Ordinary of the 11,737 square-kilometer Diocese that was erected in April 1998.

The Diocese has a population of 264,000 Catholics, according to 2019 statistics and is part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Kisumu.

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.