The Catholic Church in Kenya has received a major leadership boost after Pope Leo XIV appointed Fr. Obed Muriungi Karobia, OFM Conv., as the new Auxiliary Bishop of Nairobi.
In a statement released by the Holy See Press Office on Thursday, the Holy Father confirmed that the Meru-born priest will assist Philip Anyolo in the pastoral governance of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi alongside current Auxiliary Bishop David Kamau.
Fr. Karobia, who belongs to the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, was born in Meru on June 29, 1979. He made his simple religious profession in 2004 and his solemn profession in 2010 before being ordained a priest in July 2012. His appointment marks a significant milestone not only for the Archdiocese of Nairobi but also for the Franciscan community in Kenya.
Before his elevation to the episcopate, the 46-year-old priest had built a strong reputation within the Church, having been elected the first Minister Provincial of the Franciscan Conventuals’ newly established Province of St. Francis of Assisi in Kenya in 2019. Until his appointment, he had also been serving as the Supreme Moderator of the Franciscan Servants of Mary Queen of Love fraternity.
Church leaders say the appointment comes at a time when the Archdiocese of Nairobi continues to expand rapidly due to population growth in the capital, increasing the need for more pastoral leadership. Once ordained bishop, Fr. Karobia will work closely with Archbishop Anyolo in guiding the faithful across the archdiocese.
His appointment is also historic, as he becomes the first Conventual Franciscan friar and missionary to be appointed a bishop in Kenya since the order established its first mission in the country in 1984 in Ruiri, Meru — a development likely to excite Catholic faithful across the country.
