The Holy Father, Pope Francis has erected the new Diocese of Wote, dismembering it from the Diocese of Machakos. At the same time, the Pope appointed Rt. Rev. Paul Kariuki Njiru as its first Bishop. Untill his appointment, Bishop Kariuki was the Bishop of the Diocese of Embu. The news of the erection of the Diocese of Wote and appointment of Bishop Kariuki was officially published in L’Osservatore Romano in Rome on 22nd July 2023 at 12:00pm Rome time and 1:00pm Kenyan time. The Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan, His Excellency Archbishop Bert van Megen, also sent an official communication to the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) communicating of the erection and appointment.
Bishop Paul Kariuki was born on March 11, 1963 in Kathunguri, Kyeni in the then district of Embu (then under the diocese of Meru). He studied Philosophy at St. Joseph Seminary, Meru from 1985-1987and Theology at St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Lang’ata from 1988-1991. He was ordained a priest on March 1, 1993. He has since served in the following capacities: Parish Priest of Kairuri Parish from 1993-1996. He was the Diocesan Youth Chaplain from 1993-1994. From 1994-1996 he was Secretary of the Diocesan Commission for Education, Director of Catholic Schools, Diocesan Vice/Assistant for Youth Pastoral Ministry and the program for Family Life Education. From 1996 to1998 he studied for a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Theology at the Pontifical University of Urbaniana in Rome. Between 1998 and 2002 he studied for a Licentiate degree in Biblical Theology at the Pontifical University of Gregoriana in Rome.
Upon his return to Kenya in 2002 he was appointed Parish Priest of Kithimu Parish and Secretary of the Diocesan Commission for Education. In 2003 he taught Sacred Scripture at Christ the King Major Seminary in Nyeri. He also served as Dean of Studies and assistant to the Rector. He was appointed Bishop on 9th May 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI. He was ordained and installed as Bishop of the Diocese of Embu on 25th July 2009
Upon his return to Kenya in 2002 he was appointed Parish Priest of Kithimu Parish and Secretary of the Diocesan Commission for Education. In 2003 he taught Sacred Scripture at Christ the King Major Seminary in Nyeri. He also served as Dean of Studies and assistant to the Rector. He was appointed Bishop on 9th May 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI. He was ordained and installed as Bishop of the Diocese of Embu on 25th July 2009
