Pope Appoints Rev. John Mbua Mwandi as Bishop of Kitui Diocese

The Holy Father has appointed Rev. John Mbua Mwandi, until now parish priest of Mulutu, as the new bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kitui in Kenya. 

The appointment was officially announced by the Vatican, ushering in a new chapter for the diocese as it prepares to welcome a bishop bringing decades of pastoral and administrative experience in the Catholic Church. 

Born on 24 September 1970, Bishop-elect Mwandi studied philosophy at Saint Augustine’s Senior Seminary before undertaking theological studies at Saint Matthias Mulumba Senior Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood on 8 December 2001. 

Following his ordination, he served in several parishes across the diocese, beginning as parish vicar in Ikutha in 2002. He later served as parish priest in Miambani from 2001 to 2005, in Ikanga in 2006, and at the Cathedral of Kitui from 2007 to 2011. He also served as dean of the Eastern Deanery from 2005. 

In addition to his pastoral ministry, Bishop-elect Mwandi pursued further studies in administration and management, earning a diploma in Project Management from the Kenya Institute of Management in Nairobi in 2008. 

Over the years, he has held several key leadership positions within the diocese, including diocesan bursar from 2011 to 2020, pro-vicar general from 2016 to 2020, and later vicar general. Until his appointment as bishop, he was serving as parish priest of Mulutu. 

Catholics in the Diocese of Kitui have welcomed the appointment with joy and hope, expressing confidence in the bishop-elect’s experience, leadership, and dedication to the mission of the Church. The episcopal ordination and installation ceremony is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.