Former Catholic priest Father Sandro Ferretto has begun a new chapter of his life after leaving the priesthood and marrying Sharon Jepng'ok, a Kenyan woman from the Tugen community in Baringo County.

Ferretto, who was born in Italy, previously served as a Catholic parish priest in parts of Baringo, including the Kasiela and Mochongoi areas.

He later left the priesthood as he pursued a relationship and plans to start a family.

COUPLE CELEBRATES TRADITIONAL TUGEN UNION

Sandro and Sharon recently formalised their relationship through a traditional Koito ceremony held in Seretion Village, Kasiela, Baringo South.

The Koito is an important traditional marriage ceremony among the Kalenjin communities and brings together the families of the couple as their union is formally recognised according to local customs.

During the celebration, Sandro embraced elements of Tugen culture and participated in the traditional ceremonies alongside his wife, relatives and members of the community.

Images from the occasion have attracted attention online, with the former priest seen dressed in traditional attire while celebrating with his new family.

FROM CATHOLIC PRIEST TO FAMILY LIFE

Sandro had spent years serving communities in Kenya through the Catholic Church before making the major personal decision to leave active priestly ministry.

Catholic priests in the Latin Church are ordinarily required to remain celibate, meaning marriage would not be compatible with continuing ordinary ministry as a Catholic priest.

His decision to leave priestly life and marry has therefore attracted considerable public attention, particularly among people familiar with his previous work in Baringo.

For Sandro and Sharon, however, the traditional ceremony marked the beginning of their married life together and Sandro's deeper integration into the Tugen community he once served as a priest.

VNTV