Nakuru detectives have launched investigations after a local priest who hosted former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was found dead under mysterious circumstances near the busy Nairobi-Nakuru Highway.
The body of Reverend John Maina, a respected clergyman at Igwamiti Catholic Church in Laikipia County, was discovered about 50 meters from the church, lying lifeless within Gilgil Constituency. The tragic discovery has triggered a wave of concern across the country, especially due to the priest’s recent high-profile interaction with Gachagua on April 27, 2025.
According to officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Nakuru County, early indicators suggest foul play. The body was reportedly dumped at the location.
“We suspect Rev. Maina was murdered elsewhere and his body dumped here,” said Gilgil DCI Chief Rahamad Wasilwa.
The priest’s body was initially unidentifiable until his family arrived at the scene and confirmed his identity. The remains have since been moved to the St. Benedict’s Mission Hospital mortuary pending a full autopsy.
Detectives are working closely with Safaricom Kenya to retrieve the priest’s call logs in a bid to reconstruct his final movements and identify any suspicious contacts.
“We are analyzing phone records to determine who he communicated with before his body was found. Everyone who interacted with him in the final hours will be questioned,” Wasilwa added.
A High-Profile Visit That Raises Eyebrows
The late priest had hosted former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at Igwamiti Catholic Church just two weeks before his death. While investigators have not linked Gachagua to the case, the timing of the priest’s death has fueled speculation and drawn widespread public interest.
This development comes at a time when tensions are high in political and religious circles, with citizens demanding swift action and full disclosure.
