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Who is Sandro Ferretto? The Italian who left Catholic priesthood to marry Tugen woman in Baringo
08th September, 2026 11:37 AM
Former Catholic priest and Italian national Sandro Ferretto has caught the attention of social media users after marrying Sharon Jepng’ok from Baringo County in a traditional Koito ceremony.
The 55-year-old spent about 12 years serving as a missionary in Kenya before leaving active priestly ministry and later marrying Sharon Jepng’ok.
Ferretto and Jepng’ok held their traditional wedding ceremony on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at Seretion village in Kasiela, Baringo South.
The ceremony brought together relatives, elders, local leaders and Jepng’ok’s colleagues as the couple took part in Kalenjin traditions involving family meetings, dowry discussions and blessings.
But who exactly is Sandro Ferretto, the former priest whose decision to marry a Tugen woman has left many Kenyans talking?
Who is Sandro Ferretto?
Ferretto is a 55-year-old Italian who first came to Kenya as a Catholic missionary in 2008.
He was ordained for the Diocese of Padua in Italy before travelling to Kenya, where he served under the Diocese of Nyahururu.
Ferretto worked as a parish priest in Kasiela and Mochongoi in Baringo County, where he became known to locals as Father Sandro.
During his years in Kenya, he was involved in pastoral work, youth programmes and community projects and developed close ties with communities in the region.
It was also during his missionary years in Baringo that he met Jepng’ok.
His return to Italy
According to Italian newspaper Il Gazzettino, Ferretto returned to Italy in December 2020 alongside fellow missionary Fr Mariano Dal Ponte.
By 2023, he was in charge of a pastoral unit comprising eight churches in Saletto, Borgo Veneto, in the Diocese of Padua.
In December 2023, Il Gazzettino reported that Ferretto stepped down from parish duties after celebrating his final Mass, saying he wanted to take a break from parish work.
The Diocese of Padua said at the time that he remained a priest and that his decision was not linked to any controversy.
He later volunteered with the Levante cooperative in Padua, which works with migrants.
Ferretto eventually returned to Kenya, where he reunited with Jepng’ok, whom he had met during his missionary years in Baringo.
From priesthood to marriage
The couple later formalised their relationship through a traditional Koito ceremony, a significant Kalenjin rite involving families and elders.
The ceremony at Seretion village featured traditional attire, family gatherings, dowry discussions and blessings.
Photos from the event showed Ferretto and Jepng’ok participating in the ceremony alongside relatives, elders and other guests.
Catholic priests in the Latin Church are ordinarily required to observe celibacy and cannot marry while remaining in active ministry.
A priest who wishes to marry normally has to leave active ministry and obtain the necessary permissions from the Catholic Church, including a dispensation from the obligation of celibacy.
Author
William Muthama
William Muthama is a digital journalist with a focus on entertainment, human interest, and current affairs. Share stories: [email protected]/ [email protected]
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