DCI says slain Nyandarua priest was being trailed over church money donated by Gachagua
The directorate also revealed that a boda boda rider who found the priest said he had visible bruises on his head and was bleeding. Fr Maina reportedly told the rider that he had been abducted from Nyahururu.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has established that the late Father John Maina of Igwamiti Parish, Nyandarua, was being trailed by individuals who were allegedly demanding a share of money linked to a recent church event attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The priest’s body was found on Thursday, May 15, along the busy Nakuru-Nairobi highway at Kikopey, about 50 kilometres from his parish.
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Fr Maina had hosted Gachagua two weeks earlier, where he was the chief guest during the church’s 25th anniversary celebrations.
Government pathologist Dr Titus Ngulungu, who conducted the postmortem on Monday at Pope Benedict Catholic Hospital mortuary, established that Fr Maina suffered multiple gunshot wounds, including a fatal one to the head. One of the bullets reportedly went through his skull, causing extensive damage.
In a statement on Tuesday, the DCI said detectives were investigating reports that the priest had expressed fears for his life before he was killed, although he did not file a formal report with police.
“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 Gachagua,” read the statement.
The directorate also revealed that a boda boda rider who found the priest said he had visible bruises on his head and was bleeding. Fr Maina reportedly told the rider that he had been abducted from Nyahururu.
“The good Samaritan rushed him to St Joseph’s Mission Hospital in Gilgil, where medical personnel attempted to stabilise him. However, the priest succumbed to his injuries shortly after being admitted,” DCI said.
The priest’s body was later transferred to the Nyahururu Sub-County mortuary at the request of fellow clergy and family members for preservation and postmortem.
The DCI confirmed that several witness statements had already been recorded as part of efforts to retrace the priest’s last movements and identify those behind the killing.
“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,” the agency said.
Police further disclosed that the priest’s vehicle, a Subaru, is still missing and may have been used to transport and dump his body.
Investigations are ongoing
The agency has appealed to members of the public to provide any information that could assist with the investigations.
“We appeal to anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact the nearest police station or use our toll-free lines: 999, 112, or #FichuaKwaDCI (0800 722 203),” the DCI said.
In light of widespread speculation on digital platforms, the public has been urged to remain calm and patient as investigators work on the case.
“Our team of dedicated investigators is working diligently to resolve this matter with the utmost integrity and thoroughness to secure justice for the victim and hold accountable those who are responsible for this heinous act,” the detectives said.
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