Bishop Joseph Maluki Mwongela, the current Bishop of Kitui. Photo Courtesy. 
By Andrew Mbuva
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Joseph Maluki Mwongela, the current Bishop of Kitui, as the Coadjutor Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Machakos, marking a significant leadership development within the Catholic Church in Kenya.
The appointment means Bishop Mwongela will serve alongside the current Bishop of Machakos, assisting in the pastoral and administrative governance of the diocese while preparing to assume full leadership in the future.
A Coadjutor Bishop occupies a distinctive position in Church hierarchy. Unlike an Auxiliary Bishop, a Coadjutor Bishop is appointed with the automatic right of succession. This means that upon the retirement, resignation, or death of the current diocesan bishop, Bishop Mwongela will immediately become the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Machakos without the need for a new papal appointment.
Such appointments are typically made to ensure continuity and stability in diocesan leadership, particularly where a bishop is nearing retirement age, facing health challenges, or where a diocese requires reinforced pastoral and administrative support.
In his new role, Bishop Mwongela is expected to take on substantial responsibilities within the Machakos Diocese, enabling him to gain in-depth familiarity with its clergy, institutions, pastoral priorities, and the faithful ahead of assuming full governance.
The Vatican’s decision underscores its commitment to orderly succession, institutional stability, and sustained pastoral care within dioceses. It is also widely viewed as a strong vote of confidence in Bishop Mwongela’s leadership, experience, and longstanding service to the Church in Kenya.
Further details regarding the transition and Bishop Mwongela’s specific responsibilities are expected to be communicated by the Catholic Diocese of Machakos in due course.
