The Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has appointed Reverend Father Joseph Onyango Oduor, O.S.A., as Coadjutor Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kisii.
The appointment was officially announced on Friday, 13 November 2026, at 2.00 p.m. Kenyan time (12 noon in Rome), following communication from the Apostolic Nunciature to the Archbishops and Bishops in Kenya.
Bishop-elect Monsignor Onyango, a member of the Order of St Augustine (O.S.A.), brings years of pastoral ministry, academic formation, and leadership within the Augustinian religious community to his new episcopal responsibility.
Born on 2 May 1977, Msgr. Onyango began his education at St Mary’s Ukwala Primary School, where he studied from 1984 to 1993, before proceeding to secondary school between 1994 and 1997.
In 1998, he joined the Order of St Augustine in Kenya and undertook philosophical studies at the Consolata Philosophical Institute from 1998 to 2001. He subsequently completed his novitiate in Jos, Nigeria, and made his first profession on 28 August 2002.
He pursued theological studies at Tangaza University College in Nairobi from 2002 to 2006, making his solemn profession on 1 October 2005. He was ordained a priest on 4 November 2006.
In furthering his academic formation, he obtained a Licentiate in Philosophy from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), Nairobi, between 2012 and 2013.
Pastoral Ministry and Leadership
Following his priestly ordination, Msgr. Onyango began his pastoral ministry as Parochial Vicar at Sacred Heart Parish, Babadogo, Nairobi, serving from 2006 to 2009. He subsequently served as Parish Priest of the same parish from 2009 to 2011.
From 2012 to 2019, he served as Prior and Formator at the International House of Formation of the Augustinian Theologicum in Nairobi, where he contributed to the formation of candidates preparing for religious life and priestly ministry.
Since 2020, he has been serving as Parish Priest of St Monica Parish, Nyamasaria, in the Archdiocese of Kisumu. Between 2021 and 2024, he also served as Dean of the Kisumu Deanery.
In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, Fr Onyango has served as Custodian of the Augustinian Vicariate in Kenya since 2015. Since 2024, he has also been a member of the College of Consultors of the Diocese of Kisumu.
His appointment as Coadjutor Bishop of Kisii entrusts him with an important responsibility in the pastoral governance of the Diocese. Under Canon Law, a Coadjutor Bishop has the right of succession and assists the Diocesan Bishop in the governance and pastoral care of the local Church.
As the Church in Kenya receives the news of his appointment, the faithful are invited to accompany Bishop-elect Odour with prayer as he prepares to embrace the ministry of episcopal service.
The appointment marks a significant moment for the Catholic Diocese of Kisii and offers an opportunity to renew commitment to communion, service and the mission of evangelisation.
