Nyahururu: Retired Bishop Luigi Paiaro of The Nyahururu Catholic Diocese has been praised by his successor, Bishop Joseph Mbatia, for exemplifying servant leadership throughout his 60-year service in the Diocese. Bishop Mbatia urged Kenyan leaders to follow the example set by the retired bishop, who dedicated his efforts to improving the lives of the people he served.
According to Kenya News Agency, Bishop Mbatia made these remarks during a mass that preceded the launch of a new book at the Mary Immaculate Cathedral in Nyahururu. The book, titled “The Shepherd of Mountains and Plains,” authored by Sipili assistant parish priest Father Patrick Irungu, chronicles the life and service of retired Bishop Luigi Paiaro.
Bishop Luigi is remembered for his significant social contributions during his time as the first bishop of the Diocese, including aiding victims of the 2007/8 post-election violence and establishing the state-of-the-art Pope Benedict Hospital in Nyahururu. His leadership style, focusing on peace, intelligence, and reverence, was highlighted by Bishop Mbatia, who criticized Kenyan leaders for engaging in derogatory behavior that undermines their societal roles.
Born in 1934 in Padova (Padua), Italy, Bishop Luigi was ordained as a priest in 1959 and arrived in Kenya in 1963. Initially, he joined the Nyeri Diocese and later moved to Nyandarua, which was under the Nyeri Diocese at that time. He eventually settled at the Nyahururu Cathedral and was appointed Bishop in 2003 to lead the newly formed Nyahururu Diocese, a division of the larger Nyeri Diocese.
During his tenure, the Laikipia region, part of the Nyahururu Diocese, faced severe security challenges that resulted in loss of lives and livelihoods, necessitating Church intervention to provide food for hundreds of affected individuals. Bishop Luigi retired in 2011, passing the leadership baton to Bishop Mbatia, who was just two years old when Paiaro first arrived in Kenya.
Additionally, the retired bishop is credited with pioneering the introduction of football in Nyahururu by founding its first football team, where he was both a sponsor and a player.