Fr Jeremiah Oponyo has been picked to take over the leadership of Christ the King Cathedral in Bungoma.
He was a priest at Bukembe Catholic Parish. Oponyo will be deputised by Fr Amos Nyongesa, while Fr Chris Wafula from Christ the King moves to Ndalu Parish as the parish priest.
In the recent changes made by Bungoma acting bishop Joseph Obanyi, who is also the Kakamega diocese bishop, several priests have been demoted as others were promoted and sent to new stations.
Bungoma has been without a substantive bishop for close to a year.
Christ the King Cathedral leadership fell vacant following the death of Fr Christopher Wanyonyi in August this year.
The death of Wanyonyi resulted in sharp succession politics, with local leaders weighing in on who would succeed him.
During the burial of Wanyonyi, Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi said splitting the diocese should be top on the agenda of the Catholic Church.
Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula and Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa said the appointment of a new priest to fill in the gap must be consultative and all-inclusive.
“We urge you as our bishop to hold consultations with us leaders, faithful and all stakeholders before you appoint a successor of Father Wanyonyi. We don’t want you to appoint someone who will be resisted,” Wetang’ula said.
Bungoma diocese cuts across Busia and Bungoma counties, with priests from the two counties wrangling over positions.
Church members have been pushing for the creation of Busia diocese to be hived from the Bungoma diocese.
Christ the King Cathedral Parish is the biggest in the diocese and has the highest number of faithful. It’s located in Bungoma town centre.
It has two primary schools - Christ the King Academy and Father Walstra.
Those angling to take over the parish were keen to take control over the massive resources from these institutions.
In the new changes, Fr Peter Makokha, who was in charge of Misikhu Parish, has been demoted to an assistant priest in Maliki Parish. Leonard Pamba of Sikusi Parish was also demoted to an assistant priest.
Fr John Paul Makhandia has been promoted to be in charge of Bukembe Parish, while Linus Odoli of Ndalu moves to Myanga Parish in the same capacity as parish priest.
Fr Chris Wafula moves to Ndalu, while Linus Odoli moves to Miyanga.
Fidelis Akeba takes over in Buhuyi and will be deputised by Joseph Shiundu, Paul Juma takes over in Bukembe, Peter Massiga takes over in Misikhu, while Joseph Dome takes over in Kaptalelio.
Collins Mulunda has been moved to Naitiri as assistant priest, Francis Mandela to Kocholia as assistant priest, Peter Oluoch to Kimwanga as an assistant, Kizito Munyane to Kimatuni as an assistant and Leonard Okumu Pamba, who was formerly at Sikusi has been given a break.
Edited by A.N