MOMBASA County—Feb 1, 2026—The Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa has entered a formal leadership transition following the appointment of Bishop Dominic Kimengich as Coadjutor Archbishop, ahead of the retirement of Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde in February 2027.
The appointment, made by Pope Leo XIV and announced on January 28, 2026, will see Bishop Kimengich work alongside Archbishop Kivuva for one year to ensure continuity in pastoral leadership and administration.
Under Catholic Church canon law, bishops are required upon attaining the age of 75 to submit their resignation to the Pope. While retirement relieves a bishop of administrative responsibility, it does not end his episcopal office.
Archbishop Kivuva, who turns 75 on February 10, 2027, formally requested the appointment of an assisting bishop to guide the Archdiocese during the final year of his tenure, a move intended to prevent a leadership vacuum and ensure an orderly transition.
As Coadjutor Archbishop, Bishop Kimengich assists in governing the Archdiocese and holds the right of succession once the metropolitan see becomes vacant.
Catholic faithful across Mombasa and the wider Coast region have welcomed the appointment, describing it as a sign of stability and foresight. The Archdiocese, which spans Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale and Taita Taveta counties, will now be guided by two bishops during the transition period.
While some faithful have expressed sadness over Archbishop Kivuva’s impending retirement, many have praised his legacy, citing the establishment of new parishes and the rollout of community development projects across the region.
Archbishop Kivuva is expected to continue exercising full episcopal authority until his retirement, working closely with Bishop Kimengich.
The Bishops steering the transition Bishop Dominic Kimengich
Born in 1961 in Kituro, Baringo County, Bishop Dominic Kimengich was ordained a priest in 1986 for the Diocese of Nakuru. He later earned Licentiate and Doctorate degrees in Canon Law from the Pontifical Holy Cross University in Rome.
He has served as a seminary rector, Vicar General of Nakuru Diocese, and at the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), offering canonical and administrative expertise. Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Lodwar in 2010, he later became Bishop of Lodwar before being transferred to Eldoret Diocese in 2019, where he shepherded over one million faithful.
He now assumes the role of Coadjutor Archbishop of Mombasa with the right of succession.
Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde
Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde was appointed as the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa on December 9, 2014, and was officially installed on February 21, 2015. He succeeded the late Archbishop Boniface Lele and has been leading the archdiocese since that time.
Archbishop Kivuva has led the Archdiocese of Mombasa through a period of growth, marked by the expansion of parishes and social outreach initiatives along the Coast.
As he approaches the canonical retirement age, he initiated the transition process by requesting the appointment of a coadjutor, a move widely viewed as responsible stewardship aimed at safeguarding continuity within the Archdiocese.
He will continue to guide the Archdiocese until February 10, 2027, when Bishop Kimengich is expected to succeed him.
