Rt. Rev. Jackson Murugara, IMC, has formally taken over as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Meru, becoming the fourth bishop to lead the diocese since its establishment in 1953.
The 55-year-old cleric succeeds Rt. Rev. Salesius Mugambi, who officially retired on January 1, 2026, after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 75. Bishop Murugara’s succession took effect automatically in line with Canon Law, following his prior appointment as Coadjutor Bishop of Meru, a role he has held for the past eight months.
Under the provisions of the Code of Canon Law, the transition did not require a new papal appointment, as a coadjutor bishop assumes full leadership of a diocese immediately upon the retirement of the sitting bishop.
Bishop Murugara is set to formally take canonical possession of the diocese at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Meru. During the ceremony, he will present his apostolic letters to the College of Consultors and take the cathedra, the bishop’s chair, which symbolizes his authority as the local Ordinary and marks the official commencement of his pastoral governance.
The Diocese of Meru serves thousands of faithful across the region, and Bishop Murugara now assumes full responsibility for its spiritual leadership, administration, and pastoral mission.
