Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has spoken out following the tragic death of Catholic priest Fr. John Maina Ndegwa, who died weeks after hosting him.
In a statement on Wednesday, May 21, Gachagua mourned the late priest as a great soul, stating that he spoke the truth without fear.
"The passing on of Fr. John Maina Ndegwa, the Parish priest, Igwamiti Parish in Nyandarua, is 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 said.
Gachagua confirmed that he had spent time with Maina during his silver jubilee celebrations, noting that the priest delivered a powerful sermon that touched on national issues.
"Two weeks before he met his death, Fr. John had hosted me for his silver jubilee celebrations, where he gave a powerful sermon and spoke out his mind on the state of the Nation.
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"He was my personal friend and counselor for a long time. I met him several times, and we discussed many issues of National interests," he added.
Calling for justice, Gachagua urged law enforcement authorities to move quickly to ensure those responsible for the killing are held accountable.
"I call upon the security agencies to speed up the investigation and bring the culprits of this heinous act to book.
"I pass my deepest sympathies to the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Nyahururu, Catholic Faithful of Igwamiti Parish, and the Catholic fraternity," he concluded.
On Tuesday, May 20, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said Maina was last seen in public on April 27, 2025, during the event attended by Gachagua and other leaders.
Two weeks later, on Thursday, May 15, DCI states that the priest was discovered along the Nakuru-Nairobi highway with visible injuries.
"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. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accompanied by other politicians, attended the ceremony.
"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 told the boda boda rider that he had been abducted from Nyahururu," the statement read.
The good Samaritan rushed Maina to St. Joseph's Mission Hospital in Gilgil, where he was admitted with visible injuries on the left side of his head.
Unfortunately, he passed away within minutes of being admitted.
"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.
"Tragically, despite the efforts of medical personnel, Fr. Maina 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," the statement added.
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