REV. FR. FRANCIS XAVIER OPONDO

It is with a humble acceptance of God’s will that we, the Bishop, Clergy and Family announce the death of Fr. Francis Xavier Opondo, the Parish Priest of St Francis of Assisi-Kapkoi Parish on Friday 28th January 2022. Fr. Francis Xavier Opondo was born on 5th October, 1954 in EldoretTown.

He is the 3rd born son of Mzee Athanus Opondo Adeya and the late Mama Kelezenzia Kwena Adeya. He is the brother to: the late Priscilla, the late Joannes, the late MaryTeresa, the late John Chrysostom, the late Joseph, Catechist Protus, MaryStella, Immaculate and Rose.

He attended St. Columban’s Primary School Kitale, 1965-1971 and Mother of Apostles Seminary – Eldoret, 1972 – 1975.

He was trained in St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas Senior National Seminaries, 1976 – 1982. He was ordained priest for the larger Catholic Diocese of Eldoret on 25th September, 1982. He has served in different parishes: Mother of Apostles – Matunda, St. Charles Lwanga Chekalini, Holy Family – Mokwo, Immaculate Heart of Mary – Nerkwo, St. Zeno – Kolongolo, Sacred Heart Cathedral – Eldoret, Christ the King – Mitume, Immaculate Conception Cathedral – Kitale, St. Peter Claver – Kiminini, St. Pius – Endebess, and Mthengowanthenga and Chigoneka in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe – Malawi. He also served as the Vocations Director, 2008 – 2010 and Vicar General, 2003 – 2006, 2008 – 2012.

The cortege leaves the Kiminini Cottage Hospital Mortuary on Wednesday 2nd February, 2022 for Requiem and Vigil Masses at Kiminini, Immaculate and Kapkoi.

The funeral mass shall be held at Christ the King – Mitume Parish Centre Grounds at 10.00am and thereafter the burial rites at the Diocesan Clergy Cemetery in St. John and Priscilla – Sirende Parish on Thursday 3rd February, 2022.

“Christ gave up His life for us; we too must give up our lives for our brothers & sisters.” (1 Jn 3:16)