Premium
Pope Leo XIV appoints Bishop Kimengich Coadjutor Archbishop of Mombasa Diocese
Pope Leo XIV and Eldoret Bishop Dominic Kimengich.
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Eldoret Bishop Dominic Kimengich as Coadjutor Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Mombasa, in preparation to succeed Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde, who will turn 74 on February 10, 2026.
The appointment was communicated by The Catholic Mirror, a publication of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
Bishop Kimengich, who was appointed the Bishop of the Diocese of Eldoret in November 2019 by the late Pope Francis following the death of Bishop Cornelius Korir, will assist Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde in running the affairs of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa.
He will be the principal deputy administrator of the diocese and will have canonical rights to automatically succeed the Archbishop Musonde when he retires, dies or leaves office for another reason.
“As Coadjutor Archbishop, he will assist the Archbishop of Mombasa in the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese and in accordance with canon law, holds the right of succession upon the vacancy of the metropolitan see. This appointment ensures continuity of leadership and strengthens the church’s pastoral mission along the Kenyan Coast,” said communication.
It explained that the appointment marks a significant pastoral transition for one of Kenya’s metropolitan Sees.
In the Eastern Catholic churches, the adjutor may be appointed by the Pope or by the church itself. Within the Anglican Communion, a diocesan committee appoints the coadjutor, who can be male or female.
Prior to his appointment as the head of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret, Bishop Kimengich served as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar (2011–2019) and as its Auxiliary Bishop (2010–2011).
He succeeded the late Bishop Cornelius Korir, who died in October 2017.
Bishop Kimengich will deputise Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde in governing the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa.
Archbishop Kivuva, who will turn 75 in 2027, Catholic bishops’ retirement age, has served in the capacity since February 21, 2015.
The Archdiocese of Mombasa, which is a historic cradle of Christianity in East Africa, continues to play a strategic role in evangelisation, interreligious dialogue, and social justice along the Coast region.
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) welcomed the appointment and invited all faithful to keep Bishop Kimengich, the Archdiocese of Mombasa, and the Church in Kenya in prayer as he prepares to assume the new pastoral responsibility.
Bishop Kimengich’s appointment brings with it a wealth of pastoral experience and ecclesial insight to support this mission.
Kimengich was born in 1961 and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Nakuru on September 14, 1986. He has previously served as Rector of St Joseph’s Junior Seminary, Molo, and Vicar General of the Diocese of Nakuru. He later served as Rector of St Matthias Mulumba Major Seminary, Tindinyo.
On March 20, 2010, Bishop Kimengich was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Lodwar and Titular Bishop of Tanaramusa, receiving ordination on May 22, 2010. Pope Benedict XVI subsequently appointed him Bishop of the Diocese of Lodwar on March 5, 2011. He was later installed on March 30, 2011. He was transferred to the Diocese of Eldoret in November 2019.
This appointment ensures continuity of leadership and strengthens the Church’s pastoral mission along the Kenyan Coast.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
