-Bishop Sulumeti retired in 2014 but remained an active presence in the Church until his final days.
Kenya’s Catholic community is mourning the death of Bishop Emeritus Philip Sulumeti.
Bishop Sulumeti was one of the country’s longest-serving clerics and the founding bishop of the Kakamega Diocese.
He died on the night of Sunday, November 9, at a Nairobi hospital, at the age of 88.
According to church officials, Bishop Sulumeti passed away at around 11 p.m. after a short illness.
His death brings to a close a ministry that spanned nearly five decades. Bishop Sulumeti left a deep imprint on Western Kenya’s religious and social life.
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Born on 15 August 1937 in Kotur village, Busia County, Sulumeti was ordained a priest in 1966 under the Diocese of Kisumu.
Six years later, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Kisumu. Pope Paul VI named him the first Bishop of the newly created Diocese of Kakamega in 1978.
For 36 years, Bishop Sulumeti led the diocese with calm authority and quiet conviction.
He championed education and health care, founding schools, seminaries, and hospitals that transformed local communities.
“He was more than a bishop – he was a father and mentor to many,” said Bishop Joseph Obanyi, his successor in Kakamega.
“His legacy will endure in every parish and every life he touched.”
Throughout his tenure, Sulumeti was seen as a stabilising force within the Church and was widely respected for his commitment to interfaith dialogue.
His leadership coincided with Kenya’s political transitions, during which he often urged peace and moral integrity among leaders.
The retired bishop stepped down in 2014 but remained an active presence in the Church until his final days.
Tributes have poured in from across Kenya’s Catholic hierarchy and beyond, describing him as a “giant of faith” and “a builder of men.”
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Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced, but the Diocese of Kakamega has called for special prayers in all parishes this week.
“As bells toll across the region, the faithful gather to honour a shepherd who constructed not only cathedrals but also vibrant communities – a man whose steadfast faith has profoundly influenced a generation,” wrote a social media commentator.
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