BUSIA, Kenya — Kenyan President William Ruto and Uganda’s Vice President Jessica Alupo on Sunday joined senior Anglican clergy, government officials and cultural leaders at the consecration and enthronement of Rt Rev. Vitalis Job Ekuru as the fourth Bishop of Katakwa Diocese, in a ceremony that highlighted the growing intersection between faith, public leadership and regional cooperation.
The consecration, held in Busia County and presided over by Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit, formally installed Bishop Ekuru as the spiritual head of the diocese following the retirement of Rt Rev. John Ekude, who stepped down after attaining the church’s mandatory retirement age of 65.
The elaborate Anglican liturgy included prayers, examination of faith, the laying on of hands by bishops, anointing with holy oil and the presentation of episcopal symbols, marking the formal transfer of pastoral authority.
Addressing the congregation, Archbishop Ole Sapit challenged the newly consecrated bishop to embrace servant leadership anchored in biblical principles, pastoral care and sound doctrine.
“As a bishop you are called to lead in serving and caring for the people of God. You are to maintain the church’s discipline, guard her faith and promote her mission in the world,” Sapit said.
He reminded Bishop Vitalis Ekuru that effective leadership requires close engagement with the faithful entrusted to his care.
“You are to know your people and be known by them. You are to ordain and commission new ministers, guiding those who serve with you and enabling them to fulfil their ministry,” he said.
As part of the enthronement, Archbishop Sapit presented the new bishop with a Bible, an episcopal ring and a pastoral staff handed over by the retiring Bishop Ekude—traditional symbols representing spiritual authority, fidelity to scripture and responsibility to shepherd the church.
President Ruto congratulated Bishop Vitalis Ekuru on his appointment and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working alongside faith-based institutions in advancing national development.
He said churches remain important partners in delivering education, healthcare and community welfare while strengthening social cohesion across the country.
Representing Uganda, Vice President Alupo conveyed a goodwill message from President Yoweri Museveni to President Ruto and praised religious institutions for their longstanding contribution to national development across East Africa.
She commended churches for promoting ethical leadership, expanding access to education and healthcare, supporting wealth creation initiatives and nurturing discipline and moral values within communities.
Alupo was accompanied by Uganda’s Minister of Ethics and Integrity Rose Lilly Akello, Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President Diana Mutasingwa, Iteso Cultural Leader Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot and Her Majesty Juliet Among Emolot, among other senior officials.
The presence of senior leaders from both countries reflected the close cultural and religious ties linking communities across the Kenya-Uganda border, particularly among the Teso people, whose historical homeland spans both nations.
In his acceptance address, Bishop Vitalis Ekuru pledged to exercise his ministry faithfully while upholding the Constitution of the Anglican Church of Kenya.
He promised to lead the diocese with “truth, justice and love,” committing himself to strengthening evangelism, pastoral care and community service.
Bishop Ekuru assumes office with an extensive background in ministry, education and church administration.
He holds a doctorate and has accumulated more than two decades of experience serving in pastoral leadership, theological education and institutional management.
Before his election as bishop, he served as Chairperson of the Diocesan House of Clergy, Archdeacon of Chamasiri Archdeaconry and adjunct lecturer at St. Paul’s University and the Katakwa satellite campus of Carlile College.
His academic and pastoral experience has earned him recognition as one of the region’s leading church educators and administrators.
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Born on August 5, 1972, in Aburi Village, Kaborom Location in Bungoma County, Bishop Ekuru is the third of eight children born to Peter Joshua Omai and Mary Auchokoit.
His enthronement opens a new chapter for Katakwa Diocese as it seeks to deepen evangelism, strengthen community outreach and expand its role in addressing social and economic challenges facing local communities.
The ceremony also reinforced the continuing influence of faith institutions within East Africa, where churches remain significant voices not only in spiritual matters but also in education, healthcare, peacebuilding and public policy.
As Bishop Ekuru begins his episcopal ministry, expectations will extend beyond ecclesiastical leadership to include fostering unity, mentoring clergy and guiding the diocese through a rapidly changing social and economic landscape.
