Former Catholic Priest Marries Kenyan Woman After Leaving Priesthood

By Staff Reporter
BARINGO, Kenya — Former Catholic priest and Italian missionary Sandro Ferretto has married his Kenyan partner, Sharon Jepng’ok, following his decision to leave active priestly ministry.
Ferretto, 55, married Jepng’ok on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at Seretion Village in Kasiela, Baringo South, in a traditional Koito ceremony, a customary marriage rite among Kalenjin communities involving family participation, dowry negotiations and blessings.
The ceremony brought together relatives, community elders, local leaders and friends, while videos showing Ferretto celebrating and dancing with his bride have circulated widely on social media.
Ferretto was ordained a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Padua in Italy before travelling to Kenya in 2008 as a missionary. He subsequently served Catholic communities in Kasiela and Mochongoi in Baringo County under the Diocese of Nyahururu.
During his approximately 12 years in the region, Ferretto became known locally as “Father Sandro” and was involved in pastoral work, youth programmes and community development initiatives. (thekenyatimes.com)
It was during his missionary years in Baringo that Ferretto reportedly met Jepng’ok, a Tugen woman from Baringo South.
Ferretto returned to Italy in 2020 and later took responsibility for a pastoral unit in Saletto, Borgo Veneto, where he served several churches. He subsequently stepped away from pastoral leadership for a period of reflection before returning to Kenya. (thekenyatimes.com)
His marriage marks a major change from his previous life in Catholic ministry, where priests in the Latin Church are ordinarily bound by the discipline of celibacy.
Reports have described Ferretto as having left the priesthood before marrying, although the precise details of his formal canonical status have not been publicly disclosed. Under Catholic canon law, leaving active ministry and formally leaving the clerical state are distinct processes.
The wedding has attracted attention in both Kenya and Italy because of Ferretto's long association with the Baringo community and his decision to return to the area to begin married life.
For residents who knew him as a missionary priest, his appearance at Seretion Village as a groom represented a striking new chapter in the life of a man who spent years serving the same community.
The union also brought together Ferretto's Italian background and Jepng’ok's Tugen heritage, with the couple choosing to celebrate their marriage through traditional Kenyan customs.
Source: The Kenya Times report