The Pope Leo XIV has appointed Rt Rev. Simon Peter Kamomoe as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wote, formally handing him the reins of the young diocese after months of interim leadership.
The appointment, announced by the Vatican, follows Bishop Kamomoe’s service as Apostolic Administrator since March 2026, when he was tasked with overseeing the diocese during a period of transition.
The Wote Diocese fell vacant after its founding bishop, Bishop Paul Kariuki Njiru, was transferred to lead the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru, creating a leadership gap in the fast-growing ecclesiastical jurisdiction.
During his tenure as Apostolic Administrator, Bishop Kamomoe has been credited with ensuring stability, maintaining pastoral programmes, and steering the diocese through a critical phase of its development.
His appointment now signals the Vatican’s confidence in his leadership and its intention to entrench continuity in a diocese that has been expanding in both faithful and church institutions.
The Catholic Diocese of Wote, which serves parts of Makueni County and the wider Lower Eastern region, has in recent years witnessed growth in parishes, vocations, and community outreach initiatives.
Church leaders and faithful have welcomed the appointment, expressing optimism that Bishop Kamomoe will deepen evangelisation efforts while strengthening the Church’s social mission in the region.
He is expected to be officially installed as Bishop of Wote in a ceremony that will bring together clergy, faithful, and dignitaries from across the country.
The appointment reflects the Catholic Church’s structured process of episcopal selection, where the Holy Father makes the final decision following wide consultations within the Church hierarchy.
