By Edna Roylex
Hundreds of mourners have gathered at the Tabor Hill Spirituality Centre in Ol-Joro Oork Constituency, Nyahururu, to bid farewell to Father John Maina Ndegwa, the Catholic priest whose tragic death has sparked widespread calls for justice.
The burial ceremony, presided over by Bishop Joseph Mbatia, was attended by clergy members, local leaders, and faithful parishioners who came to pay their last respects.
Father Maina, who served at Igwamiti Catholic Parish, was found injured on the roadside along the Gilgil-Nairobi Highway on May 15, 2025. He was rushed to St. Joseph’s Mission Hospital in Gilgil but succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.
His death has since been linked to an alleged dispute over a donation he received during a church event attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
During the burial service, Bishop Mbatia condemned the violence that led to Father Maina’s untimely demise and urged authorities to expedite investigations.
“We have lost a dedicated servant of God under tragic circumstances. We demand justice for Father Maina,” he stated.
Parishioners echoed similar sentiments, calling for a thorough probe into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have revealed that Father Maina had expressed fears for his life before his death, though no formal complaint was filed.
Authorities are now pursuing leads, including toxicology tests, to determine the exact cause of death.
As the priest was laid to rest, emotions ran high among mourners, many of whom remembered him as a compassionate leader devoted to. His burial marks the end of a life dedicated to service, but the quest for answers continues.