Newly installed Bishop of Wote Diocese, Rt. Rev. Simon Peter Kamomoe. Photo by Komu Musango. 
By Andrew Mbuva and Fredrick Kioko.
The newly installed Bishop of Wote Diocese, Rt. Rev. Simon Peter Kamomoe, has pledged to dedicate his episcopal ministry to serving God's people with humility, unity and compassion, calling on clergy, political leaders and the faithful to work together in fostering a society rooted in hope, peace and abundant life.
Speaking during his inauguration at Unoa Grounds in Wote on Saturday, Bishop Kamomoe said his episcopal motto, "That you may have life in abundance and your joy will be complete," reflects Christ's mission of offering humanity the fullness of life through God's grace.
He said the abundance of life is not measured by material wealth but by a deep relationship with God that brings fulfillment, lasting joy and spiritual renewal.
"As fellow shepherds, I pray that together with my brother priests, religious men and women, our Christians and in collaboration with our local leaders, we may serve God faithfully and wholeheartedly so that the people entrusted to us may truly experience life in abundance," he said.
The bishop emphasized the importance of walking together in faith, describing the Church as a community of "pilgrims of hope" committed to living according to God's will.
Entrusting his ministry to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the patronage of St. Joseph, Bishop Kamomoe urged Christians to remain faithful to Christ through prayer and the sacraments, particularly the Holy Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which he described as enduring sources of God's mercy and love.
He also called for close collaboration between the Church and civil leadership, appealing to elected leaders to work hand in hand with the Church in promoting the welfare of residents across Wote Diocese.
"I pray that we work together—all the local, civil and political leaders—so that our people here in Wote and beyond may experience God's love," he said.
Bishop Kamomoe expressed gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the diocese and thanked the bishops, priests, religious men and women, deacons, seminarians and Christians who attended the historic celebration.
He paid special tribute to Bishop Emeritus Paul Kariuki, the founding bishop of Wote Diocese, acknowledging his pioneering leadership and the strong spiritual foundation he established.
"I thank God for the gift of Bishop Paul Kariuki as the first bishop of this diocese for laying a good foundation upon which we continue to build," he said, inviting the retired bishop to acknowledge the faithful, who responded with warm applause.
The new bishop also expressed appreciation to the clergy, religious communities and faithful of Wote Diocese for their commitment and cooperation, describing their presence at the inauguration as a sign of unity and shared mission.
The installation ceremony brought together senior Catholic clergy led by Archbishop Philip Anyolo of Nairobi, Archbishop Morris Muhatia, Archbishop Emeritus John Njue, bishops from across the country, the Apostolic Nunciature representative Monsignor Luciano, priests, religious men and women, Christians from various denominations, as well as political and civic leaders.
The colourful celebration marked the official beginning of Bishop Kamomoe's pastoral leadership of Wote Diocese, with the faithful expressing hope that his ministry will strengthen evangelization, foster unity and deepen the Church's engagement with the social and spiritual needs of the region.
