 He received the distinguished service medal in recognition of this work, bestowed upon him by President Mwai Kibaki.During his tenure, the church witnessed a sharp increase in church membership, and development of health and education institutions sponsored by the Roman Catholic church within the Diocese of Eldoret.Bishop Cornelius Kipng'eno Arap Korir was born on 6 July 1950 in Segutiet Village, Bomet District, Kericho Dioceses in Rift Valley Province.