Pope Leo XIV has appointed Kenyan development and humanitarian leader Lucy Afandi Esipila as a Consultor to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
Lucy Esipila, the Regional Coordinator of Caritas Africa, was among a group of new Consultors appointed by the Pope on August 18, 2026, to support the work of the Dicastery.
The appointment places the Kenyan among experts from around the world, selected to offer their knowledge and experience on issues handled by the Vatican department.
Under the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium, Consultors are appointed for a five-year term and are drawn from among people recognized for their expertise, proven ability and prudence.
The appointments also reflect the universal nature of the Catholic Church, bringing together priests, religious and lay professionals from different countries and fields of expertise.Â
Lucy Esipila, Leading Caritas Africa
Esipila currently serves as the Regional Coordinator of Caritas Africa, a position she assumed after being elected during the organisation’s General Assembly in May 2023.
Her election made history, as she became the first woman and the youngest person to serve as Regional Coordinator of Caritas Africa.
She joined the continental organisation in June 2020 as its Policy and Advocacy Officer, building on years of experience in humanitarian work, community development and advocacy.
Before joining Caritas Africa, Esipila worked with Caritas Maralal, where her journey in the organisation began in 2012. She later served at Caritas Kenya between 2018 and 2019.
During her time in Maralal, she also helped establish and manage a diocesan radio station, combining her communications background with community development work.
Also Read: Pope Leo XIV’s Message on Christian-Muslim Unity After Meeting Nairobi Delegation
Academic and Advocacy Background
Esipila holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications and Public Relations from Moi University.
She also has a Master’s degree in Development, Diplomacy and International Security from Daystar University, where she received the Postgraduate Dean’s Award for academic excellence.
With more than a decade of experience in development and international advocacy, Esipila has worked on initiatives involving knowledge production, institutional policy reforms and change management.
Her work has also focused on localisation, debt justice and strengthening women’s leadership across Africa.
She has been involved in advocacy around ecological justice, agroecology and multilateral cooperation, areas that closely align with the work of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
Also Read:Â Ruto Appoints New Ambassador to Vatican
What her Vatican Role Means
As a Consultor, Esipila will join other experts appointed to provide opinions and insights on issues requiring the attention of the Dicastery.
The body promotes the Church’s work on issues affecting human dignity and development, including humanitarian concerns, migration, health, environmental protection, and other social challenges.
Her appointment brings a Kenyan voice and experience from Africa’s humanitarian and development sector into the Vatican body.
Esipila will work alongside experts in theology, economics, education, social ethics, healthcare, development, and academia.
Among the newly appointed Consultors are Emmanuel Katongole, a theology professor at the University of Notre Dame; and Omer S. Combary, an economics professor at Université Thomas Sankara in Burkina Faso.
Others include Peter G. Kirchschläger, Director of the Institute for Social Ethics at the University of Lucerne; and Clemens Sedmak, Director of the Nanovic Institute for European Studies at the University of Notre Dame.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
