Nyandarua priest who hosted Gachagua died from fatal headshot, suffered multiple gunshot wounds -Autopsy

The late Father John Maina of the Nyandarua Catholic Diocese, who had hosted former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, suffered multiple gunshot wounds, including a fatal one to the head, postmortem results have shown.

Sources who witnessed the examination conducted by government pathologist Titus Ngulungu at Pope Benedict Catholic Hospital mortuary, on Monday, said 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 believe the killer ensured the priest was dead before leaving the scene.

“The body is in bad shape, it was badly mutilated,” a detective who witnessed the autopsy told Nation, adding that decomposition had already begun by the time the body was recovered.

The priest’s remains were found on Thursday, May 15, along the busy Nakuru-Nairobi highway at Kikopey, about 50 kilometres from his parish.

The cleric had hosted Gachagua two weeks prior at Igwamiti Catholic Parish, where Gachagua was the chief guest during the church’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

Susan Njambi, an aunt of the slain priest, told the Nation that she tried to reach him by phone on the same day his body was found, but calls went unanswered.

“I was at Kinangop Mission Hospital, where his uncle was admitted. I was calling to update him about his uncle’s condition since he was the one paying the hospital bill. But calls went unanswered only for me to find out he’d been killed in Nakuru,” she said.

“We want to know who killed him and why. We are saddened by the death of our son.”

Detectives now believe he was killed elsewhere and his body was transported to the scene. His vehicle, a Subaru, is yet to be found, with investigators suspecting it may have been used to move his body.

“It is possible that the Catholic priest was killed somewhere else and his body was dumped there. Detectives have launched an investigation. But the autopsy report will provide the full details that will be used in the investigation,” Gilgil Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) chief Rahamad Wasilwa said.

Investigators are now focusing on his final hours and how he ended up far from his parish, where he served as the parish priest with one assistant.

Wasilwa said the police are working with telecommunications firm Safaricom to trace Fr Maina’s last contacts and piece together his final movements.

“We are working with Safaricom to identify the person the priest contacted before his body was found in Kikopey. In addition, people who came into contact with him before his murder will be investigated,” he said.

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• Nyandarua priest who hosted Gachagua died from fatal headshot
• suffered multiple gunshot wounds -Autopsy

Several individuals who were last seen with the priest have already been interviewed, and a homicide team has now joined the investigation.

Fr Maina was born in Ng’arua, Laikipia, where he attended school before joining the seminary. He was ordained as a Catholic priest roughly ten years ago. He was the fourth of ten children in his family, which later settled in Karagoini, Ndaragua Constituency in Nyandarua.

His death has left the local community, leaders and Catholic faithful in shock.

Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha mourned the priest, remembering him as a development-minded individual.

“Fr Maina was a close friend. I am saddened by his death. My condolences to the family and the Catholic Church,” Badilisha said.

Nyandarua Senator John Methu also mourned the late cleric, saying, “We’re in deep shock to learn of the very sudden death of Rev. Father John Maina Ndegwa of Igwamiti parish. Father Maina hosted Gachagua and our team a fortnight ago for the parish’s family day. May your soul, my good friend, rest in peace.”

Over the weekend, faithful gathered at St Louis Church in Igwamiti for a special prayer service for the late priest.

Tributes also poured in across social media, with many describing him as a humble, devoted leader who had a deep impact on the community he served.

Fr Maina will be buried on Thursday at Tabor Hill Catholic Cemetery in Ol Joro Orok Constituency.