Retired Bishop of the Catholic diocese of Kakamega, Philip Sulumeti, has died while receiving treatment at Nairobi Hospital.

The news of his passing was announced on Monday November 10, by Kakamega diocese Bishop, Joseph Obanyi Sagwe, who stated that the retired Bishop breathed his last on Sunday night at 11 PM.

In his statement Bishop Obanyi expressed his deepest sorrow at the loss of his predecessor, and describing the moment as deeply difficult for the Diocese and the Catholic community at large.

The Bishop however urged the faithful to remember the late Sulumeti in their prayers and to continue upholding his legacy of service to the church.

“I request you to keep him in prayers, remembering him in the masses, as we begin making arrangements for his burial which will be communicated in due course.” Part of the statement read.

Bishop Obanyi also extended heartfelt condolences to the late Sulumeti’s family, pledging to offer prayers for them during this mourning period.

The late Rt. Rev. Philip Sulumeti served as the Bishop of Kisumu diocese which was later split, giving rise to Kakamega and becoming its first Bishop in 1978.

He led the diocese faithfully for 36 years before his retirement in 2014.

The late Bishop Sulumeti will be remembered for his commitment to evangelization, education and pastoral development across western Kenya. He died at the age of 88.