In a significant development for the Catholic Church in Kenya, a brand-new diocese has officially been established — and with it, a familiar and respected face has been chosen to lead it.
The Vatican has announced the creation of the Diocese of Kapsabet, marking a moment of both spiritual growth and historic importance for the faithful in the region.
From Eldoret to Independence: Kapsabet Gets Its Own Diocese
On July 10, the Holy See Press Office shared that Pope Leo XIV has erected Kenya’s 28th Catholic diocese by carving out a portion of the Diocese of Eldoret.
This new diocese — named after the town of Kapsabet — is now part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Kisumu.
It becomes the eighth suffragan diocese under the Archdiocese of Kisumu, joining dioceses such as Bungoma, Kitale, and Kakamega.
Bishop John Kiplimo Lelei to Lead the New Diocese
The man chosen to take up the mantle as the first bishop of Kapsabet is John Kiplimo Lelei — a name already well-known among the local faithful.
Bishop Lelei has served as auxiliary bishop of Eldoret, which also happens to be the diocese of his birth.
His pastoral experience and deep roots in the region make him a natural fit to guide the newly formed diocese.
The Size, Scope, and Structure of Kapsabet Diocese
The Diocese of Kapsabet will be based in Nandi County, covering a geographic area of around 1,115 square miles.
According to Vatican statistics from July 2025, the Catholic population stands at 313,655, which is roughly 35.4% of the total population within the diocese’s boundaries.
This new diocese will include 36 parishes and be served by 52 priests.
Among them, 44 are diocesan clergy, while the remaining eight are members of various Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (ICLSAL).
At the heart of the diocese will be St. Peter’s Catholic Parish in Kapsabet town, which has now been designated as the cathedral of the new diocese.
A Look at Bishop Lelei’s Spiritual Journey
Born in August 1958, Bishop John Kiplimo Lelei has spent decades serving the Church in Kenya.
He was ordained as a priest in October 1985, following years of philosophical and theological training at St. Augustine’s Mabanga Senior Seminary in the Bungoma Diocese and St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Nairobi.
Over the years, Bishop Lelei has built a reputation for compassion, leadership, and a deep understanding of the pastoral needs of the region — qualities that will serve him well in this new role.
