KENYA: Pope Appoints Friar Obed Muriungi, Auxiliary Bishop of Kenya’s Nairobi Archdiocese
KCCB – Commission for Social Communications Team
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Monsignor Obed Muriungi Karobia, a member of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual (OFM Conv), as Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi, strengthening apostolic leadership in one of Kenya’s most vibrant ecclesiastical jurisdictions.
The appointment was officially announced in Rome on Thursday, March 26. It was formally communicated to the Kenyan Bishops through the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya, Archbishop Bert Van Megen.
Auxiliary Bishop-elect Karobia brings to the episcopacy a rich heritage of Franciscan spirituality grounded in humility, fraternity, and service.
Born on June 29, 1979, in Meru, Kenya, Bishop-elect Karobia has journeyed through a steady path of religious formation and priestly ministry. He made his simple profession in 2004 and his solemn profession in 2010 before being ordained a priest in 2012. Over the years, he has distinguished himself through dedicated pastoral service, leadership within the Franciscan fraternity, and a deep commitment to evangelization.
Notably, in 2019, he was elected the first Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Francis in Kenya. As the Auxiliary Bishop-elect Karobia will support the Archbishop in shepherding the faithful, enhancing pastoral outreach, and strengthening ecclesial structures.
Until his appointment, he had been serving as the Supreme Moderator of the Franciscan Servants of Mary Queen of Love Fraternity, a religious community of priests and brothers.
