Gachagua mourns retired Kakamega Diocese Bishop Philip Sulumeti
By Cynthia Lodite, November 10, 2025Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has mourned the late retired Kakamega Bishop Philip Sulumeti, remembering him as a man who served God and humanity in great faith, following the footsteps of Jesus Christ.
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In a post on his official X account on Monday, November 10, 2025, Gachagua shared his tribute as he recalled past works by the late Bishop.
“I join the Catholic Faithful in the Diocese of Kakamega, in Kenya and the entire world in mourning the passing on of Bishop Emeritus Rt. Rev. Phillip Sulumeti. Rt. Rev. Philip Sulumeti served God and humanity in great faith following the footsteps of Jesus Christ,” Gachagua said.
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On his part, he described the late Bishop Philip as a person who spoke the truth and lived by it.
“In him, was a man of God who spoke the truth and lived by it. I pass my deepest sympathies to the Bishop of Kakamega Rt. Rev. Joseph Obanyi, the Clergy, the Religious and the Lay Faithful and the people of goodwill,” he added.
“May the Soul of Rt. Rev. Bishop Philip Sulumeti rest in eternal peace, and perpetual light shine upon him forever,” Gachagua added.
Bishop Philip dead
Retired Kakamega Bishop, Rt. Rev. Philip Sulumeti has passed away on the night of Sunday, November 9, 2025.
His death was officially confirmed by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops – Catholic Justice & Peace Department, on Monday, November 10, 2025, which extended heartfelt condolences to the clergy, religious, lay faithful, and all people of goodwill across the country.
“We join the Catholic Diocese of Kakamega and the entire Church in Kenya in mourning the passing of Bishop Emeritus Rt. Rev. Philip Sulumeti, who went to be with the Lord last night,” the association said in a statement.
“We remember with gratitude his dedicated pastoral service, humility, and commitment to the mission of Christ. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul rest in peace. Amen.”
Life of devoted service
Bishop Philip Sulumeti was born in 1939 and was ordained a priest in 1966 for the Diocese of Kisumu. When the Diocese of Kakamega was established in 1978, he was appointed its first bishop, a role he faithfully held for nearly four decades until his retirement in 2014.