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. This appointment grants Bishop Wambua full authority over all matters concerning the diocese.
The Apostolic Nunciature in Kenya released a statement on Thursday, September 26, asking for prayers for the recovery of Bishop Paul Kariuki Njiru, the first bishop of Wote Diocese, 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,” the statement read.
Bishop Wambua will officially assume his duties in Wote Diocese on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Evangelization of Peoples confirmed the appointment in a letter from the Apostolic Nunciature.
Born in 1952 in Makueni County, Bishop Wambua was ordained in 1988 for the Diocese of Lodwar. He was later appointed Bishop of Bungoma in June 1998 and transferred to Machakos Diocese in June 2018. In his new role, he will report directly to the Holy See.
Bishop Paul Kariuki, who was appointed the first Bishop of Wote in July 2023, had earlier delegated his pastoral and administrative responsibilities to Fr. Patrick W. Ndonga in July 2024 due to a leave of absence. In a letter, Bishop Kariuki had announced his leave starting on July 3, 2024, and requested cooperation and understanding from the clergy and laity during his absence.
