Pope Francis appoints Bishop Wambua as Apostolic Administrator of Wote Diocese

Pope Francis has appointed the Right Reverend Norman King'oo Wambua, Bishop of Machakos, as the Apostolic Administrator “sede plena et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis” of the Diocese of Wote.

The appointment grants Wambua full authority over all diocesan matters. Bishop Wambua has been appointed as the Apostolic Administrator of Wote Diocese.

In a statement released on Thursday, September 26, the Apostolic Nunciature in Kenya requested prayers for the recovery of Wote Diocese’s first bishop, Paul Kariuki Njiru, who is currently unwell.

"We remain in prayer for the complete recovery of His Lordship, the Right Reverend Paul Kariuki Njiru, Bishop of Wote, as well as for the clergy, religious, and faithful of this beloved Diocese."

Bishop King'oo will officially begin his duties in Wote Diocese on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. local time.

This was confirmed in a one-page letter from the Apostolic Nunciature, which detailed that the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Evangelization of Peoples had made the appointment.

In his role as Apostolic Administrator "sede plena et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis," Bishop King'oo will have full authority over Wote Diocese and will report directly to the Holy See.

Born in 1952 in Makueni County, Bishop King'oo was ordained in 1988 for the Diocese of Lodwar. He was appointed Bishop of Bungoma in June 1998 and transferred to Machakos Diocese in June 2018.

Bishop Kariuki, appointed the first Bishop of Wote Diocese in July 2023 and installed in September that year, began his Episcopal ministry in July 2009 in the Diocese of Embu. In July 2024, he delegated the pastoral and administrative responsibilities of Wote Diocese to Fr. Patrick W. Ndonga due to his leave of absence.

In a letter addressed to the clergy and laity of Wote Diocese, Bishop Kariuki announced his immediate leave starting on July 3, 2024, with plans to return in August. He also requested cooperation and understanding during his absence.