Father John Maina whose body was found at Kikopey on the busy Nakuru-Nairobi highway in Gilgil, Nakuru County on May 15.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Nakuru have launched investigations into the murder of a Catholic priest.
The body of Father John Maina was found on Thursday, May 15, at Kikopey on the busy Nakuru-Nairobi highway in Gilgil, Nakuru County.
It was discovered about 50 kilometers from his work station, Igwamiti Catholic Church, which is under Nyahururu Catholic Diocese in Laikipia County.
Two weeks ago, the priest had hosted former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at the Church.
Gilgil DCI boss Rahamad Wasilwa told Nation detectives have launched investigations, but are waiting for a postmortem exercise to be conducted on the body for more details.
The DCI boss said that police suspect the priest was murdered elsewhere and his body dumped at Kikopey.
"The Catholic priest might have been killed elsewhere before the body was dumped at the scene. Detectives have launched investigations. But the postmortem will give more details that will be relied in the investigations," said the DCI boss.
When the body was found, at first he was not identified but family members later identified him.
The DCI boss said the body was moved to St Benedict Catholic Mission Hospital awaiting postmortem.
Police are also yet to recover the priest's vehicle believed to have been used by the assailants to dump the body at the scene.
Detectives are also investigating his mobile phone call logs to establish the persons he communicated prior to his killing.
"We are working with Safaricom, to establish who communicated with the priest last before his body was found dumped in Kikopey. Also the people who physically interacted with him will be persons of interest in the probe. So far we are piecing together information, but the autopsy will make things clearer on how he met his death," revealed a senior DCI detective on Monday.
Back in Nyahururu, faithful are in mourning, demanding thorough investigations and arrest of the priest's killers.
"We want to know who killed Father Maina and why. He was a humble servant of the God, serving the church and congregation with humility. His commitment was to ensure that he changed the lives on the people, giving them hope and support, we have lost a very important person in our lives," said Ms Wairimu Karanja.
Another parishioner, Jeremiah Maina, said the priest was jovial, a soft heart and keen lister.
"He would never ignore anyone, always striving to offer a solution or give hope. He was among the favourites, his summons were deliberately tailored to communicate specific themes relating to humanity," said Mr Maina.
Milka Wangechi, a parishioner, said she was saddened by the murder, recalling that the priest appeared jovial as usual last Sunday.
"We were looking forward to his motivational summons full of humour on Sunday, but that was never to be, we received the news about his death on Friday, very shocking and disturbing news," said Milka.
Two weeks ago, the priest hosted former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and other politicians at his parish during a fundraiser in support of a church van project.
The event was also to celebrate 25th years since the church was started.
In his summon on that day, Father Maina urged politicians to serve with humility, honesty, and mindful of Kenyans welfare.
Nyandarua Senator John Methu who attended the Sunday mass has joined other Christians in demanding justice for the slain priest.
"The priest was a personal friend, he hosted us with the former DP at his Igwamiti Parish Church. We are shocked that he is no more. The police must investigate and bring to book those behind that act," said Senator Methu.
