The Catholic community is mourning the passing of veteran Kakamega Bishop Emeritus Rt Rev Philip Sulumeti.
Confirming the news, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) revealed that he passed on while receiving treatment at a Nairobi hospital.
The bishops eulogised him as a cleric dedicated to service, humility and commitment to the gospel.
“We join the Catholic Diocese of Kakamega and the entire Church in Kenya in mourning the passing on of Bishop Emeritus Rt. Rev. Philip Sulumeti, who went to be with the Lord last night at Nairobi Hospital,” KCCB said in a statement.
“We remember with gratitude his dedicated pastoral service, humility and commitment to the mission of Christ.”
As such, the conference sent its condolences to the Kakamega Bishop Joseph Obanyi, the clergy, the religious, the faithful, and all people of goodwill during this time of sorrow.
Bishop Sulumeti was the first-ever Bishop of the Kakamega Diocese and was in his late 80s when he passed on.
In a statement on Monday morning, Bishop Obanyi confirmed that the late MP passed away on Sunday night at around 11pm and urged faithfuls to keep him in their prayers.
“I request you to keep him in prayers, remembering him in the masses, as we begin making arrangements for his burial, which shall be communicated in due course,” Bishop Obanyi stated.
“To all the people of God of Kakamega, relatives and friends, we express our condolences and pledge our prayerful accompaniment during these difficult moments.”
At 88, his clerical journey spanned nearly five decades and shaped the spiritual and social landscape of Western Kenya.
After serving as a Bishop of Kisumu for two years, he was appointed as the first-ever Bishop of Kakamega. On February 28, 1978.
