President William Ruto today Sunday joined hundreds of worshippers, clergy and leaders in Busia County for the consecration of Rt Rev Vitalis Job Ekuru as the fourth bishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Katakwa Diocese.
The ceremony, held in Amagoro, marked the formal installation of Bishop Ekuru, who succeeds Rt Rev John Okude. Bishop Okude retired on February 28, 2026, after reaching the church’s mandatory retirement age.
President Ruto was received by ACK Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit before joining the congregation for the service. Busia Governor Paul Otuoma, church leaders and other dignitaries also attended the event.
Bishop Ekuru emerged victorious after a closely fought election conducted by the ACK Provincial Electoral College. The 23-member body elected him in the second round of voting, ending more than two hours of deliberations. He defeated Ven Moses Idewa and Rev Cain Emojong to secure the position.
His election was met with celebrations from members of the Electoral College, who broke into songs of praise after the result was announced.
The consecration ushers in a new chapter for the Katakwa Diocese, one of the Anglican Church of Kenya’s dioceses in western Kenya.
The diocese was carved out of the Nambale Diocese in 1991. Its founding bishop, Rt Rev Eliud Okiring, served from 1991 until 2006. He was succeeded by Rt Rev Zakayo Epus, who led the diocese from 2006 to 2015. Rt Rev John Okude then assumed leadership in 2016 before retiring earlier this year.
Sunday’s service celebrated both continuity and renewal within the church, as worshippers prayed for Bishop Ekuru’s leadership and the future of the diocese.
While no public remarks from President Ruto or Bishop Ekuru were immediately available during the ceremony, the event underscored the close relationship between Kenya’s religious institutions and national leadership, with senior government officials joining faithful to witness the transition.
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