'He Was An Excellent Peacemaker' Dignitaries Mourn The Death Of Bishop Cornelius

Piece by: Queen Serem
Lifestyle

Bishop Cornelius Korir was found dead in his house at Elgon View estate by helpers who had gone to prepare him for a flight to Nairobi for treatment, on Monday.

The body was taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary.

Bishop Korir was born in 1950 at Segutiet, Kericho Diocese in the former Bomet District. He was ordained Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret on June 2, 1990.

This was when the diocese, which then included Kitale, had 50 parishes.

Korir, a staunch human rights defender, was then consecrated as Bishop on June 2, 1990. Bishop Korir has presided over an unprecedented increase in church membership.

He has also been instrumental in the growth of the Catholic Church's education and health sectors.

This was seen through the several schools and hospitals he helped build in the region.

In October 2013, he established the Upendo FM radio station that broadcasts from his diocesan office on 89.4 FM in the North Rift.

He served in Molo, Kituro and Nakuru before taking up the role of Vocations Director and Episcopal Vicar at the Diocese of Kericho.

'He was a great religious leader and an excellent peacemaker,' President Uhuru Kenyatta said on Monday, following his death.

He said Korir, of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret, led a life of simplicity and service guided by his strong character and independent mind.

"I join the Catholic Church in mourning a great religious leader whose exemplary service calls for emulation by others. I am saddened by his early demise," Uhuru said.

He continued,

"In this hour of sorrow, and on behalf of the people and Kenya, I convey my deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the the Catholic church, family and friends."

The late bishop played a key role in the restoration of peace in the North Rift following the 2007/8 post-election violence.

Deputy President William Ruto described Korir as an icon of peace.

"Bishop Korir dedicated his life to preaching peaceful coexistence and harmonious relationships among communities," Ruto said. "He was an adored, respected and revered church elder whose wise counsel was sought by his flock and the country at large."

He said the cleric leaves a rich legacy of sowing the seeds of love, friendship and brotherhood.

In a statement, Opposition leader Raila Odinga and Mama Ida mourned a "dear friend and a sober and reflective of voice of the Catholic Church in Kenya".

"As Bishop of the Eldoret Diocese, Bishop Korir has been one of our nation's leading moral lights and voices of reason, who also did outstanding work with many communities, and through such service touched the lives of countless Kenyans," Raila said.

He further added,

"We will forever appreciate that within the Diocese of Eldoret, Bishop Korir promoted both spiritual empowerment and economic development through his numerous community organisations and charitable efforts."

The NASA leader said Korir's gentleness and humble determination, which were used to address Kenya's most pressing challenges, cannot be replaced.

He and his wife prayed that Korir's spirit lives on in the people he touched.

The Star.

Video courtesy of the Star Newspaper;