From Priesthood to Marriage: Father Sandro Ferretto Begins New Life With Kenyan Woman

Father Sandro Ferretto’s journey from Italy to Kenya has taken an unexpected turn.The 49-year-old Italian, who served as a Catholic priest and missionary in Kenya for 12 years, has now started a new chapter of his life after leaving active priesthood and marrying his Kenyan partner, Sharon Jepngok.

Sandro, a priest of the Diocese of Padua, first served in Italy before travelling to Kenya as a fidei donum missionary.

His years in Baringo brought him close to local communities and placed him at the centre of efforts to promote peace during years of conflict.

In September 2026, the former priest returned to the region for a very different reason- to marry the woman he loves.

Father Sandro Ferretto’s Early Ministry in Italy

Sandro began his religious ministry in northern Italy under the Diocese of Padua. His first assignment was as a young chaplain in Rossano Veneto, a town in the Province of Vicenza.

He later continued his service within his home diocese before taking up a missionary assignment in Kenya.

His decision to work outside Italy led him to the Catholic Diocese of Nyahururu, where he would spend about 12 years serving communities in Baringo County.

12 Years of Missionary Work in Kenya

Sandro served as a fidei donum missionary priest and worked as a parish priest in Mochongoi, within the Diocese of Nyahururu.

The parish presented major geographical and social challenges. The parish was divided into four zones, with three located on the Nyahururu plateau and another in the Rift Valley.

The Rift Valley section was particularly difficult to reach. It required about an hour and a half of driving along a 30-kilometre mountain route with gradients of between 10 and 12%.

Seven of the parish’s 26 communities were located in this area.Despite the difficult terrain, Sandro regularly travelled to the remote communities. Over time, he became deeply connected to the people and their way of life.

His work went beyond religious duties. He took part in community activities and became involved in efforts to bring people together during periods of conflict.

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The ‘Mochongoi Miracle’

One of the most significant moments of Sandro’s missionary work came after years of conflict between the Tugen and Pokot communities.

Between 2013 and 2015, the region experienced violence linked to cattle theft, killings and long-running vendettas.

The conflict affected communities living in and around Mochongoi.In 2016, Sandro witnessed what was described as a small miracle.

Young people from the two communities came together for a peace meeting. Instead of confronting one another, they welcomed each other, embraced and asked for forgiveness.

For Sandro, the moment demonstrated the power of reconciliation after years of conflict.

His involvement in peace-building became an important part of his legacy in the area, where he had worked closely with communities affected by insecurity and divisions.

Return to Italy in 2019

After completing his missionary assignment, Sandro returned to Italy in 2019. Back in his home diocese, he continued his pastoral work and eventually served in the Pastoral Unit of Saletto. He was also appointed to run a pastoral community there.

His return to Italy marked a different stage of his life. While continuing his work in the Church, he also spent time reflecting on his future, his commitment to celibacy and the life he wanted to pursue.

Over the following years, he eventually made the decision to leave active priesthood and clerical duties so that he could pursue family life.

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Love Takes Him Back to Baringo

Sandro’s connection with Kenya did not end when he returned to Italy. He had fallen in love with Sharon Jepngok, a Tugen woman from Baringo South.

She is the daughter of former local councillor John Wendot.The relationship eventually led him back to the community where he had spent years serving as a missionary.

This time, however, he returned not as a priest but as a groom.

Sandro Embraces Tugen Culture

Over the weekend of September 5, 2026, Sandro and Sharon held a colourful traditional Koito ceremony in Seretion Village, Kasiela.

The ceremony marked a major change in Sandro’s life as he embraced the culture of the community he had served for years.He also drank Mursik as he joined his bride’s community in celebrating their union.

The ceremony brought together local leaders, family members and residents, including people who had known Sandro during his years as a priest.

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Photo collage of Father Sandro Ferretto as a priest and his team during a mission in Baringo and Italy
PHOTO/Courtesy