A major highway and a number of roads will be closed today and tomorrow as thousands of faithful descend on Eldoret for the installation of the new bishop of Eldoret Catholic Diocese.
Today, up to 5,000 Catholics are expected in the town to receive Bishop Dominic Kimengich at the diocese ahead of his installation tomorrow, which is expected to attract more than 10,000 visitors.
Among those invited for the ceremony is President Uhuru Kenyatta, his Deputy William Ruto, governors Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo Marakwet), Josphat Nanok (Turkana) and Stanley Kiptis (Baringo), and a host of MPs.
Kimengich, has been the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar since 2011, before Pope Francis appointed him to head the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret in November, last year.
He replaces the late Bishop Cornelius Korir, who died in October 2017.
Town flooded
According to the Vicar General of the diocese, William Kosgei, preparations for the installation ceremony that will flood Eldoret town with visitors starting today have been finalised.
Eldoret West Police Commander Eliud Maiyo said Eldoret-Uganda Highway from Paul’s Bakery to the Eldoret Cathedral would be temporarily closed today to allow uninterrupted processions.
Tomorrow, roads leading to The Mother of Apostles Seminary Secondary school, where the installation will take place, will be closed.
Catholic faithful from all the Eldoret’s 62 parishes and neighbouring dioceses are expected to attend. Also invited to the ceremony are members of the protestant clergy and the Muslim community.
“We expect a huge congregation in Eldoret today, Saturday and Sunday. Catholics from Baringo, where our new Bishop was born, are also expected to turn up in large numbers,” said Fr Kosgei.
Working with police
“We are working closely with the police to ensure traffic is managed because there will be long processions,” he said.
Bishop Kimengich will first be welcomed at Moi’s Bridge on the border between Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia Counties in a ceremony to be attended by leaders from both counties. “More than a 1,000 Catholics from Turkana will hand over the new Bishop at Moi’s Bridge,” said Fr Kosgei.
Stay informed. Subscribe to our newsletter
According to Joseph Koech, the installation committee secretary, several buses have been hired to ferry hundreds of residents to Moi’s Bridge.
The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
join