Catholic diocese of Wote was established by the Late Pope Francis on July, 22^nd, 2023. The first bishop of the diocese, Rt. Rev. Paul Kariuki Njiru, having been appointed on the date of establishment, was installed as the first local ordinary of the new diocese on 30^th September, 2023 in a ceremony filled with pomp and colour. Bishop Paul Kariuki was transferred from the diocese of Embu, where he had served for 14 years.

The diocese was carved from the larger diocese of Machakos, and was made a suffragan diocese of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Nairobi. At the time of erection of the diocese, the number of parishes were 35.

During the period of administration of bishop Paul Kariuki, the diocese underwent a period of immense vibrancy, with the bishop offering true pastoral care and governance. He opened a new parish of Maviani, to ensure closer pastoring of Christ’s flock.

On September 26^th, 2024, the Holy Father Pope Francis appointed Bishop Norman King’oo of Machakos Diocese, as Apostolic Administrator “Sede plena et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis” of Wote diocese. This appointment was necessitated to ensure pastoral needs and governance of the diocese continued smoothly during the period of leave of the local ordinary, Paul Kariuki, due to health reasons. During his period of shepherding the diocese, Bishop Norman opened three parishes, namely, Yinthungu, Kavete, and Masaku Ndogo.

As the diocese continued to take shape, the Holy Father, on 5^th of July 2025, transferred Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe, then Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Nairobi, to Wote diocese. An installation ceremony for the auxiliary bishop was conducted on 23^rd August, 2025 at Wote Cathedral grounds. On September 21^st, 2025 he was appointed Apostolic Administrator “Sede plena et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis” for the diocese, taking over from Bishop Norman King’oo.

On March 25^th 2026, Bishop Paul Kariuki’s letter of resignation as the diocesan bishop of Wote was accepted by the Holy See. Consequently, the Holy Father, Pope Leo IV, appointed Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe as the Apostolic Administrator for the diocese. The bishop ministered the diocese with a lot of pastoral zeal, and opened other two parishes, namely, St. Thomas Aquinas Tangu-Salama parish and St. Francis of Assisi Malili parish. He also launched the diocesan shrine at Kalembwani Hill, that was placed under the patronage of Mary, Our Mother of Hope and Grace.

Later, on May 13^th, 2026, the Holy Father, Pope Leo IV, appointed Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe as the second Diocesan Bishop of Wote Diocese.

Wote diocese covers the vast area of Makueni County. The county has an area of about 8,100 square kilometers, and has a population of 987,653 according to the 2019 National Census. The catholic population is 388,946 which is about 39.4% of the total population of the county. The diocese has eight deaneries and 42 parishes. The distribution is as follows: Wote Deanery – 6 parishes, Kathonzweni Deanery – 5 parishes, Kambu Deanery – 5 parishes, Kibwezi Deanery – 6 parishes, Nzaui Deanery – 5 parishes, Kasikeu Deanery – 4 parishes, Kilungu Deanery – 6 parishes, and lastly Mbooni Deanery that has 5 parishes.

There are 81 Diocesan priests, 9 missionary priests, 4 deacons, and 50 seminarians. There are parishes administered by missionary priests: The Holy Ghost Fathers at Sultan Hamud Parish, The Apostles of Jesus at Makindu and Utangwa, then The Franciscans of Our Lady Queen of Love at Kitise. The presbyterate collaborates with the religious men and women to offer service in the Diocese. These congregations are: Brothers of St. Peter Claver, Felician Sisters, Most Precious Blood Sisters, Assumption Sisters of Nairobi, Sisters of St. Joseph of Mombasa, Precious Blood Sisters, Assumption Sisters of Eldoret and Little Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi.

There are other departments that aim at achieving the mission and vision of the diocese. These include Pastoral Department, Liturgical Department, Office of the Education Secretary, Health Department, Finance Office, Caritas, Vocations’ Office, PMS, CJPD.