President William Ruto has congratulated Rt. Rev. Joseph Obanyi Sagwe following his appointment as the first Metropolitan Archbishop of the newly established Archdiocese of Eldoret by Pope Leo XIV.
In a message shared on his official Facebook page on Saturday, November 14, the President described the appointment as the beginning of a new chapter for the Catholic Church in the region.
Ruto wished Archbishop Obanyi God's blessings and success in his new role, expressing optimism that his leadership would strengthen the Church's contribution to the wellbeing of Christians within the Archdiocese of Eldoret and beyond.
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The President also highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships aimed at empowering communities, nurturing the next generation and building a united, inclusive and prosperous nation.
Obanyi's appointment follows Pope Leo XIV's decision to establish the new Metropolitan Province of Eldoret, elevating the Diocese of Eldoret to a Metropolitan Archdiocese.
The new ecclesiastical province will comprise four suffragan dioceses: Lodwar, Kapsabet, Kitale and Kericho, bringing together Catholic communities previously under different metropolitan jurisdictions.
The inclusion of Lodwar Diocese is particularly significant for Turkana County, as it places the region within the newly established Metropolitan Province of Eldoret.
Archbishop Obanyi previously served as Bishop of Kakamega and had been administering the Diocese of Eldoret following the appointment of Archbishop Dominic Kimengich as Coadjutor Archbishop of Mombasa.
His elevation marks a major development in the administration of the Catholic Church in western and north-western Kenya, creating a new centre for pastoral leadership and coordination across the four dioceses.
Ruto's congratulatory message adds to the national recognition of the appointment, which marks a new chapter for the Catholic faithful across the region.