An Italian-born former Catholic priest who served for more than a decade in Kenya has married a Tugen woman in a traditional ceremony in Baringo County.
Sandro Ferretto, 55, wed Sharon Jepng’ok on Sunday, 6 September, at Seretion Village in Kasiela, Baringo South. The couple formalised their union through a Koito ceremony, a Kalenjin rite involving dowry negotiations and family blessings. Relatives, community elders, local leaders and colleagues of Ms Jepng’ok attended.
Mr Ferretto previously served as a parish priest in Kasiela and Mochongoi under the Diocese of Nyahururu. Residents knew him as “Father Sandro”. He had been ordained for the Diocese of Padua and began missionary work in Kenya in 2008, spending about 12 years in Baringo on pastoral work, youth programmes and community projects.
He returned to Italy in December 2020 with fellow missionary Mariano Dal Ponte. By 2023 he was leading a pastoral unit in Saletto, in Borgo Veneto, overseeing eight churches. Later that year, Italian media reported that he had stepped down for a period of reflection. He subsequently returned to Kenya and resumed a relationship with Ms Jepng’ok, whom he had met during his missionary service.
Ms Jepng’ok is from Baringo South and is the daughter of former councillor John Wendot. Reports say her family hosted the ceremony. Those present said Mr Ferretto took part in Tugen customs during the celebration.
Under Latin-rite Catholic law, priests make a commitment to celibacy and cannot validly marry while remaining in active ministry. A priest who wishes to marry must first be released from the clerical state through a Vatican-approved process known as laicisation, which usually includes a dispensation from celibacy. It has not been publicly confirmed whether that process was completed in this case. Without it, the Church would not recognise the marriage.
The wedding has drawn attention in Kenya and Italy because of Mr Ferretto’s long association with communities in Baringo and his move from parish ministry to family life.
Former Catholic priest marries Kenyan partner in traditional ceremony
Written by
CDR AFRICA
2 min read
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