Seven Catholic priests serving in the Diocese of Maralal have been suspended following a pastoral letter issued by Bishop Hieronymus Emusugut Joya that also introduces new rules governing clergy conduct and diocesan administration.

The four-page pastoral letter, dated July 12, 2026, was released to the faithful on Sunday. In it, Bishop Joya outlines concerns he says he found after assuming leadership of the Diocese of Maralal in October 2022, including financial and administrative challenges that prompted changes in the management of the diocese.

The development comes days after the Metropolitan Archbishop of Nairobi issued a radio pastoral message cautioning Catholics against associating with the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), as senior Church leaders continue to publicly address matters relating to Church discipline, governance and unity.

Diocese challenges

In the letter, Bishop Joya says he inherited a diocese facing numerous challenges but with little guidance on how to address them.

“It is painful to state that I found the diocese with multiple problems, but no one was willing to tell me the cause of the problems and how to get the solution,” he wrote.

According to the bishop, his administration later embarked on audits across parishes and Church institutions, introduced new administrative systems and structures, and directed funds received from donors and well-wishers towards addressing diocesan debts and other financial obligations.

He also said some clergy and members of the laity criticized his administration over frequent fundraising appeals and decisions affecting parish assets.

“Some of the priests and lay Christians started accusing me of always asking for money, taking schools and parish equipment that belonged to their parish,” the bishop stated.

Responding to the criticism, Bishop Joya defended the fundraising efforts, saying they had enabled the diocese to undertake projects and address financial challenges.

“I have mobilized hundreds of millions of shillings in the time I have been here, more than all the money all Christians of this diocese have done for their Church… Who should be accused of not supporting the Church and who made the diocese bankrupt?” he wrote.

The bishop added that information gathered during his tenure had informed some of the disciplinary decisions announced in the pastoral letter.

New rules for priests

The pastoral letter introduces several directives that will now apply to priests serving in the Diocese of Maralal.

The measures require priests to reside in their assigned presbyteries, prohibit them from engaging in private business, bar them from acquiring property through relatives that they cannot explain, and require proper management of parish and institutional finances. Priests are also directed not to report for liturgical celebrations while intoxicated and to comply with both Canon Law and the laws of the country.

The bishop further directed that diocesan vehicles and motorcycles be driven only by authorized personnel and instructed parish finance councils and governing boards to ensure annual budgets and audits are conducted.

Citing provisions of the Code of Canon Law, Bishop Joya announced the suspension of seven priests pending the resolution of what he described as matters relating to abuse of ecclesiastical authority, negligence in administration and the management of Church temporal goods.

The suspended priests are Rev. Fr. Paul Maina, Rev. Fr. Peter Musau, Rev. Fr. Stephen Lekasuyan, Rev. Fr. Peter Nderitu, Rev. Fr. Christopher Letikirich, Rev. Fr. John Dida and Rev. Fr. Jonathan Namoni, whose suspension took effect on July 10.

While announcing the suspensions, the bishop urged Catholics to pray for the affected priests.

“Pray for these priests of ours. At this moment they are starting a life of deep reflection on the value of their vocation and the importance of working for the common good of the Church,” he wrote.

New appointments

The pastoral letter also announced several appointments within the diocese following the suspensions.

Rev. Fr Dominic Lesayon was appointed Assistant Parish Priest at Maralal Cathedral; Rev. Fr Albert Letaon was named Director of St Joseph Allamano Pastoral Centre and Radio Muchungaji; Rev. Fr Solomon Ebei was appointed Parish Priest of St Mathew Lodokejek Parish; Rev. Fr Ambrose Lepartingat was assigned to Christ the Risen Lord Morijo Parish, while Rev. Fr Marko Lopetet was appointed Assistant Parish Priest at St Matthew Lodokejek Parish.

The suspensions, new appointments and clergy directives take immediate effect, marking one of the most significant administrative shake-ups in the Diocese of Maralal in recent years.