Philip Arnold Subira Anyolo, born on May 18, 1956, in Tongaren, Bungoma, is a prominent Roman Catholic prelate.
He has served as the Archbishop of Nairobi since November 20, 2021.
Anyolo was ordained a priest in 1983 and became a bishop in 1996, overseeing the dioceses of Kericho, Homa Bay, and Kisumu before his current role.
He holds a doctorate in systematic theology from the University of Innsbruck and has been active in the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Education
Anyolo attended Kakamwe Primary School in Tongaren, followed by the Mother of Apostles Minor Seminary in Eldoret.
He studied philosophy at St. Augustine Major Seminary in Mabanga and theology at St. Thomas Aquinas in Nairobi.
In 1987, Anyolo pursued further studies in Austria, earning a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from the University of Innsbruck in 1993.
Career
Anyolo’s career in the Catholic Church began after his ordination as a priest for the Diocese of Eldoret on October 15, 1983.
He worked as a chaplain at Moi University and was involved in the formation of future priests, which laid a solid foundation for his later leadership roles.
On December 6, 1995, Anyolo was appointed the first Bishop of the newly established Diocese of Kericho and consecrated as bishop on February 3, 1996.
In 2003, Anyolo was appointed Bishop of Homa Bay, where he continued his efforts to improve education and health services in the region.
On March 23, 2019, Anyolo was appointed Archbishop of Kisumu.
As Archbishop, he became an advocate for peace and reconciliation in a region often affected by ethnic tensions.
Currently, as Archbishop of Nairobi—having been appointed on October 28, 2021, and officially installed on November 20, 2021— Anyolo continues to focus on pastoral care and addressing contemporary societal issues such as social justice and economic inequality.
Turning down William Ruto’s car gift
In March 2019, Anyolo declined a car donation worth from Ruto who was then the Deputy President during his installation as Archbishop of Kisumu.
This decision arose amidst allegations that the vehicle was purchased with corrupt funds, prompting political controversy.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga claimed Pope Francis ordered the return of the car, reinforcing the church’s stance against accepting gifts from corrupt politicians.
“Recently, during the installation of Archbishop of Catholic Diocese of Kisumu, someone took a vehicle to the bishop as a gift. When the Pope was informed that the Archbishop had received a car gift, he ordered that the vehicle be returned,” Raila alleged.
However, Anyolo clarified that his rejection was based on personal contentment with his existing vehicle, not on corruption claims.
Outspoken figure
Anyolo is known for his outspoken stance on political issues and government policies, and has publicly criticized President William Ruto’s administration, particularly regarding its tax strategies.
Anyolo has urged the government to prioritize development over political maneuvering, emphasizing that the political class has lost sight of its responsibilities to the citizens.
“Political leaders are urged to demonstrate ethical leadership by addressing the pressing issues raised by the KCCB, including political wrangles, corruption, politics of self-interest, violations of human rights and freedom of speech, the culture of lies, issues surrounding NHIF, unfulfilled promises, misplaced priorities, selfish agendas to extend terms of elected leaders, and over-taxation of Kenyans,” he said in April 2024.
Recently, Anyolo demonstrated his commitment to integrity by rejecting a cash donation from Ruto, citing ethical concerns and a directive from the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops that prohibits such contributions to maintain the Church’s independence.
He has also called for transparency and accountability in governance, urging leaders to fulfill their campaign promises.
“Political leaders are urged to demonstrate ethical leadership by addressing the pressing issues raised by the KCCB, including political wrangles, corruption, politics of self-interest, violations of human rights and freedom of speech, the culture of lies, issues surrounding NHIF, unfulfilled promises, misplaced priorities, selfish agendas to extend terms of elected leaders, and over-taxation of Kenyans,” he said in a statement.
