Gachagua: Murdered Nyandarua Priest Spoke Truth About Govt

According to the former DP, two weeks before Fr Maina's death, he had hosted him for his silver jubilee celebrations

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
May 21, 2025 - 14:13
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Gachagua: Murdered Nyandarua Priest Spoke Truth About Govt
Rigathi Gachagua speaking during a church service in Murang'a County on May 18, 2025. /RIGATHI GACHAGUA

Father John Maina of Igwamiti Parish, Nyahururu, was critical of the Kenyan government, according to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Gachagua, who mourned the passing of the man of God, stated on Wednesday, May 21, that his death was "utterly painful". 

"Fr. John was a great Soul and a shepherd of the Lord's flock; he lived in truth and spoke the truth without fear or favour just as Christ would have done," he stated in part.

According to the former DP, two weeks before Fr Maina's death, he had hosted him for his silver jubilee celebrations, where he gave a powerful sermon and spoke his mind on the state of the nation. 

Father John Maina whose body was found at Kikopey on the Nakuru-Nairobi highway in Gilgil, Nakuru County on May 15, 2025. /JOHN METHU

"He was my personal friend and counsellor for a long time. I met him several times, and we discussed many issues of National interests," he continued.

Gachagua went on to call upon the security agencies to speed up the investigation and bring the culprits of the murder to book. 

According to initial reports, Fr. Maina was last seen in public on April 27, 2025, when he attended a Silver Jubilee celebration at Igwamiti Catholic Parish, which coincided with the ordination of Father Simon Thuita.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), in a statement on Tuesday, May 20, on May 15, 2025, Fr. Maina 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. He had told the boda boda rider that he had been abducted from Nyahururu.

He was rushed to St. Joseph’s Mission Hospital in Gilgil, where he succumbed to his injuries minutes after arrival, despite efforts by medical personnel to save his life. His body was later transferred to the Nyahururu Sub-County morgue for preservation and postmortem examination.

On May 19, 2025, a government pathologist, Titus Ngulungu, conducted the autopsy. Preliminary findings revealed that the head injuries sustained were unlikely to be the direct cause of death. As a result, tissue samples were taken for further toxicological analysis to determine the exact cause.

However, some media reports indicated that he suffered multiple gunshot wounds, including a fatal one to the head. It was reported that one of the bullets went through his head, severely damaging his skull. Fr Maina’s body also bore several other gunshot wounds, and by the time of the examination, there were blood stains.

Based on the state of the body, investigators expressed the belief that the killer ensured the priest was dead before leaving the scene.

"It has been established that Fr. Maina was being trailed by some individuals who were demanding a share of the money allegedly given to him after he presided over the Silver Jubilee Anniversary Ceremony by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. 

"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," added the statement.

Detectives have recorded several witness statements and are analysing forensic evidence to reconstruct Fr. Maina’s final movements and identify potential suspects. The DCI has since assured the public that no effort will be spared in pursuing justice in this case.

Officers stand guard at the entrance of DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road. /NATIONAL POLICE SERVICE

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