New bishop, a son of Kitui, urges unity and self-reliance in first days of ministry
KITUI, Kenya – The Catholic Diocese of Kitui has a new shepherd after Bishop John Mwandi was ordained and installed as its fifth bishop in a ceremony marked by faith, thanksgiving and fraternity.
The Episcopal Ordination and Installation took place on 8 August 2026 at St Charles Lwanga Senior Seminary, where an unusually cold morning did little to dampen the mood among the Catholics and guests who filled the grounds to witness the moment.
Archbishop Philip Anyolo of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi served as principal consecrator, conferring the Sacrament of Holy Orders on Bishop Mwandi.
Bishop Mwandi was born on 24 September 1970 in Thitani Village, Kitui, the firstborn of twelve children to Joseph and Beatrice Mwandia. He was baptised and formed within the Diocese and served the local Church as Vicar General before his appointment to the episcopate, working closely with clergy, religious and lay faithful in advancing its pastoral mission.
The Charge d’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Kenya, Mons. Luciano Labanga, welcomed Bishop Mwandi as a “son of the soil” and noted that the appointment came only months after the Diocese lost its previous bishop, Joseph Mwongela, who was named Coadjutor Bishop of Machakos on 19 March.
“After a few months, we are already joyful because the Holy Father has sent his successor, Bishop John Mwandi,” Mons. Labanga said, thanking the new bishop for his generosity in accepting the appointment. He also noted, to laughter from the congregation, that anyone who accepts the episcopate today “must be a bit mad” — a remark that underscored the demands of the office even as it lightened the mood.
Addressing the congregation after his ordination, Bishop Mwandi directed his first words to God. “All glory belongs to Him, for without Him I am nothing, and with Him all things are possible,” he said.
He thanked Pope Leo XIV for appointing him Bishop of Kitui, saying he had received the appointment with humility and obedience, and made a solemn commitment to the faithful: “I promise to serve the people of God entrusted to my care with dedication and love.”
Bishop Mwandi also thanked the Apostolic Nunciature, his brother bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful who had accompanied him through his vocation and ministry. “To all the priests, brothers and sisters who have worked with me as good collaborators in the ministry, together we have laboured in the vineyard of the Lord. I value your commitment and fraternal support deeply,” he said.
First Mass focuses on faith amid life’s storms
Bishop Mwandi celebrated his first Holy Mass as Bishop of Kitui on 9 August at Our Lady of Africa Cathedral, calling on the faithful to deepen their faith and remain steadfast in their journey with Christ amid life’s challenges.
In his homily, he reflected on the Gospel account of Peter walking on water, describing it as the journey of every Christian. Like Peter, he said, believers encounter storms that can weaken their faith and cause them to lose sight of Christ. “Despite the waves that trouble us, we sometimes experience fear, but God is always near us,” he said.
He said God does not always reveal Himself through dramatic signs but often comes to His people quietly, and he called on the faithful to remain attentive to God’s presence in difficult moments, particularly through simple, faith-filled prayer such as “God, help me.”
Bishop Mwandi asked the faithful to pray that he might be a good shepherd, attentive both to the voice of Christ and to the needs of those entrusted to his pastoral care.
In his address after Mass, he said he had accepted the responsibility with humility. “I have received this responsibility with humility, and I will serve you with great love, guided by proper plans that we shall put in place to lead this Diocese,” he said.
He outlined priorities for his ministry, including the welfare of priests, collaboration with missionaries, strengthening the Diocese’s financial sustainability, supporting families, promoting vocations and caring for the less privileged, and he called on clergy, religious and faithful to work together as one family in advancing the mission of Christ.
Fellow bishops offer support
Bishop Joseph Mwongela, Coadjutor Bishop of Machakos, thanked the faithful of Kitui for their continued support of the Diocese, encouraged them to remain hopeful and called for greater commitment to self-reliance as the Diocese grows in its mission. He also encouraged Bishop Mwandi to embrace his new role with courage and confidence.
Archbishop Dominic Kimengich, Coadjutor Archbishop of Mombasa, encouraged the clergy and faithful to continue working together in carrying out the mission of God, while Archbishop Anthony Muheria of Nyeri expressed joy at seeing the Diocese of Kitui flourishing and called on the faithful to keep praying for Bishop Mwandi as he leads the Diocese according to the will of Christ.
The first Mass concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony marking the joyful beginning of Bishop Mwandi’s pastoral ministry.
