New Wote diocese Catholic Bishop Paul Kariuki Njiru has asked leaders to work together to stir up development in infrastructure, health and raise personal standards to revive the economy.
Kariuki spoke during his installation in an event attended by fellow bishops, congregants and political leaders at Unoa grounds, Makueni county on Saturday.
Minutes after his installation as the first Bishop for Wote diocese, Bishop Kariuki assured the congregation that he shall work closely with stakeholders to bring lives to God.
He promised to work together with all leaders in Wote diocese to find solutions to pressing issues.
"I am a firm believer in unity of purpose thus we will make use of my priests, sisters, worshippers and leaders to ensure we move ahead,” the bishop said.
Kariuki has been serving in Embu diocese for the last 13 years and was appointed by Pope Francis on July 22, to serve as Machakos diocese bishop.
The leaders present urged the bishop to help them in promoting peace and fight poverty in the region.
The event was presided over by Most Rev Hubertus the apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan.
Kariuki is the first ever bishop after Wote Diocese was created, however his predecessors who include Ndingi Mwana’a Nzeki, Urbanus Kioko, Martin Kivuva, Bishop Anthony Muheria and Bishop Norman King’oo led the Machakos diocese.
The rite of installation involved kissing a crucifix and reading of the Apostolic Letter, which was witnessed by thousands of faithful who flocked the 50,000-seater stadium to capacity.
Machakos Bishop King'oo said they have not handed over a limping church but a running one.
Nuncio said Kariuki is a person who likes working with his own hands and he is convinced that all will go well. "Let this day go in World's History."
Born in 1952 in Embu county, Bishop Kariuki was ordained priest on January 1993. In 2009, he was appointed and ordained as Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Embu and on July 2023, appointed Bishop Wote Diocese and ordained September 30.
Political leaders from all divides were present led by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, Eugene Wamalwa, governors Mutula Kilonzo Junior (Makueni), Cecile Mbarire (Embu), Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos), Julius Malombe (Kitui) and Makueni County Speaker Douglas Mbilu.
They reaffirmed their commitment to work together despite their political affiliations.
The leaders said differences in political opinion should no longer be used to divide Kenyans along ethnic groups.
Kalonzo called on the leaders to embrace competition based on development agenda, avoid divisive and tribal politics. He said there is need for leaders to embrace each other especially now that they working on dialogue between UDA and Azimio.
"The church has a voice, bishops called us when Kenya had tension and we heed their call for dialogue and we have peace today," Kalonzo said.
Mwilu said she was thankful for the new diocese. "It's good to look for God from a far but it is awesome to find him in our neighbourhood."
Wamalwa congratulated the church for advocating for peace justice and urged that it prays for the country as it fights poverty.
"Long after independence we still having the yellow maize "katongelele" being shipped to help our people," he said.
Governor Mutula said he will collaborate with the bishop to ensure he delivers to the residents in Makueni.
Mbarire said they are sure the bishop will push development agenda ahead as he loves to work as he did in Embu.
Wavinya on the other hand called upon residents to plant early in readiness for the El nino rains to ensure they have sufficient food.