The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has confirmed that investigations are underway into the death of Catholic priest John Maina, who was found murdered after hosting former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Preliminary findings suggest he may have been killed by individuals targeting money donated to his parish.
Maina, a Catholic priest from Igwamiti Parish in Nyahururu, was discovered along the Nakuru-Nairobi highway by a Good Samaritan, a motorcycle rider, near the Diotomite stage, with bruises on the left side of his head, on May 15. He told the boda boda rider that he had been abducted from Nyahururu.
Reports indicate that, on April 27, 2025, Fr Maina attended a silver jubilee anniversary ceremony of Igwamiti Catholic Parish and the ordination of Father Simon Thuita, where Gachagua, accompanied by other politicians, attended the ceremony.
According to the DCI, the rider took Fr Maina to St Joseph's Mission Hospital in Gilgil. Upon arrival at the hospital, he displayed visible injuries, including bruises on the left side of his head, which were oozing blood.
However, despite the efforts of medical personnel, he passed on while undergoing treatment minutes after being admitted.
His body was moved to the Nyahururu Sub-County morgue upon request by his fellow worshippers for preservation and autopsy.
Detectives revealed that, according to an autopsy done by a government pathologist, preliminary findings showed that the priest had bruises on his head, which were, however, unlikely to be the cause of his death.
"On May 19, 2025, the autopsy was conducted by Dr Ngulungu, a government pathologist. Preliminary findings revealed that the bruises observed on Fr Maina's head were unlikely to be the cause of death. Consequently, samples were collected and sent for further toxicological analysis," DCI added.
Detectives are now in pursuit of individuals they suspect had been trailing the man of the cloth while demanding a share of the money allegedly given to him after he presided over the Silver Jubilee Anniversary Ceremony attended by the former DP.
Further, detectives are investigating reports that Fr Maina had claimed his life was in danger, though he had not reported the same at any police station.
"So far, several statements have been recorded, and detectives are actively pursuing forensic leads to reconstruct Father Maina’s final movements and arrest suspects. The authorities are committed to identifying and apprehending those responsible for this heinous act," DCI disclosed.
The detectives, however, warned the public against spreading rumours and misinformation about the priest's death, assuring that they were committed to ensuring justice.
