The Apostolic Nuncio of Kenya Archbishop Charles Daniel Balvo speaking during Bishop Korir's burial mass at Eldoret Sports club on November 11, 2017. [Photo: Joe Khisa]
Following the sudden death of Bishop Cornelius Korir, Eldoret Catholic Diocese has remained without a spiritual leader.
Bishop Korir was in charge of all the Catholic churches in the three counties of Uasin Gishu, Nandi, and Elgeyo Marakwet.
With his demise, the church will now have to look for his replacement, a process that might take time.
"The Pope is the only one mandated to appoint a Bishop after receiving an advice from Bishops in a given country," notes Fr. Frederic Njororge who is in charge of communications at the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret.
"It's a process that takes time and always done in secrecy. It can be months or years before we get another Bishop," he added.
Currently, there are several Catholic Dioceses without a bishop, an indication that Eldoret might not be getting Bishop Korir's replacement anytime soon.
"Machakos has stayed three years now without a Bishop, Kitui has no Bishop since June this year and when Bishop John Njenga was transferred from here to Mombasa it took us over two years before Bishop Korir came," said Fr. Njoroge.
When he spoke during Bishop Korir's funeral mass at Eldoret Sports club, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya, Archbishop Charles Daniel Balvo indicated that someone will be appointed to temporarily be in charge of the Eldoret Diocese.
"In the next few days someone will be appointed temporarily to guide and direct the Diocese of Eldoret as we seek to find this man who will succeed the Bishop Cornelius Korir," Archbishop Balvo said.