The Archdiocese of Nairobi has announced that Pope Leo XIV has appointed Reverend Fr. Obed Muriungi Karobia as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese.
The announcement was made on March 26 at the Holy Family Minor Basilica by Archbishop Bert van Megen, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya, during the 1 pm Mass.
“His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has appointed Rev. Fr. Obed Muriungi Karobia O.F.M Conventual as an Auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Nairobi,” read part of the statement.
Archdiocese of Nairobi congratulated him on his new appointment.
Who is Rev. Fr. Obed Muriungi
Rev. Fr. Obed Muriungi Karobia was elected the first Minister Provincial of the newly established Province of St. Francis in Kenya on 25 September 2019.
His election came on the second ballot during the third session of the Ordinary Provincial Chapter of the new province.
The appointment was endorsed by Minister General Friar Carlos Alberto Trovarelli and Assistant General for the African Federation of Conventual Franciscans (AFCOF), Friar Anthony Bezo Kutiero, recognizing Friar Obed’s readiness for the demanding leadership role.
Born on 29 June 1979 in Meru, Kenya, Friar Obed made his simple profession on July 24, 2004, followed by his solemn profession on October 10, 2010, before being ordained to the priesthood on July 28, 2012.
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About Archdiocese of Nairobi
The Archdiocese of Nairobi covers two counties – the City of Nairobi (Nairobi County) and Kiambu county. It covers an area of 3,721sq. Km and is divided into 17 deaneries.
The archdiocese serves an estimated population of well over 7.2 million people where 4.03 million are Catholics.
The population is highly cosmopolitan, reflecting Nairobi’s status as Kenya’s capital, attracting people from all communities across the country and around the world.
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Thika municipality, within the archdiocese, is a major industrial hub, ranking among Kenya’s top urban centres, alongside Kiambu, Ruiru, Juja, Kikuyu, Karuri, and Limuru.
Currently, the Archdiocese is under Archbishop Philip Anyolo, and the Auxiliary Bishop Rt. Rev. David Kamau Ng’ang’a, Archdiocesan Secretary, Procurator, Consultors, Senate of Priests, Finance Committee, Trustees, Tribunal and Deans.
It has 256 diocesan clergy, 230 religious institutes and congregations for women, 90 religious institutes and congregations for men, 8 University level institutions, 11 Major seminaries, 1 minor seminary, 30 Catholic lay movements and associations, 15 spiritual retreat centres, 9 catechetical and pastoral centres.
The Archdiocese of Nairobi is the seat of the Metropolitan Province of Nairobi.
