Catholic Pope Francis has appointed the Archbishop of Kisumu Most Reverend Philip Anyolo as the new Archbishop of the Nairobi Diocese. “I have the pleasure and honour to inform you that Pope Francis has appointed the Most Reverend Philip Anyolo, presently Archbishop of Kisumu, as Archbishop of Nairobi,” read the statement from the Vatican.
Following his appointment, Archbishop Anyolo will replace Cardinal John Njue who retired in January after attaining the age of 75 and after serving for 13 years.
Archbishop Anyolo was born on May 18, 1956 in Tongaren, Bungoma. He was ordained priest for the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret in 1983. Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of Kericho on December 6, 1995 and was consecrated as Bishop of Kericho on February 3, 1996. On February 20, 2002, The Holy Father John Paul II appointed him as Apostolic Administrator of Homabay upon the resignation of Rt. Rev. Linus Okok Okwach. He was appointed Bishop of Homabay on March 22, 2003 and installed as Bishop of Homabay on May 23, 2003.
He was elected Chairman of KCCB in October 2013 and is currently serving his second term. Previously he served as the KCCB Vice Chairman. Anyolo becomes the 5th Archbishop of Nairobi.
