- Jesuit scholar Fr. Elias Omondi Opongo has been appointed Vice Chancellor-designate of CUEA.
- Bishop Mark Kadima continues serving as Chairperson of the Catholic university’s governing council.
- The leadership appointments come as AMECEA strengthens its institutions following its 21st Plenary Assembly.
The Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) has appointed Rev. Fr. Prof. Elias Omondi Opongo, SJ, as its new Vice Chancellor while retaining Rt. Rev. Mark Kadima as Chairperson of the University Council in a move aimed at strengthening the institution’s leadership and governance.
The appointments, announced by the university, usher in a new phase of academic and administrative leadership at one of Eastern Africa’s leading Catholic institutions of higher learning.
Fr. Opongo, a distinguished Jesuit priest, scholar and researcher, assumes the role of Vice Chancellor and is expected to provide strategic leadership in advancing CUEA’s academic excellence, research, innovation and institutional growth.
His appointment comes at a time when universities across the region are increasingly focusing on quality education, digital transformation, international partnerships and producing graduates equipped to address contemporary societal challenges.
Bishop Kadima retained as Council Chair
At the same time, Rt. Rev. Mark Kadima, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bungoma, has been retained as Chairperson of the CUEA University Council, reaffirming the confidence placed in his leadership and oversight of the university’s governance.
In addition to his responsibilities at CUEA, Bishop Kadima serves as an Executive Member of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), a role that reflects his contribution to the Catholic Church’s mission across the region.
The university congratulated the two leaders, expressing confidence that their combined experience and commitment to Catholic education will enhance the institution’s mission of providing quality higher education rooted in Christian values.
The leadership changes come following the 21st AMECEA Plenary Assembly hosted in Kenya in July 2026.
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Founded by the Catholic bishops of Eastern Africa, CUEA has established itself as a premier institution of higher learning, offering programmes across diverse disciplines while promoting ethical leadership and academic excellence.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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