John Maina: Man Who Rescued Slain Catholic Priest Narrates What Happened

• A man has come forward as the Good Samaritan who rescued slain Catholic priest Father John Maina, found injured along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway
• The priest, who served in Nyandarua County, died days after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua visited his church
• The rescuer, speaking anonymously, said he spotted the injured priest around 10am as he travelled from Gilgil
• Mistaking him for a potential customer, the man stopped and found that the priest had visible injuries before rushing him to the hospital

A man who rescued slain Catholic priest Father John Maina, who was allegedly murdered just a couple of weeks after former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua visited his church in Nyandarua county.

Father John Maina was found dead a little less than a fortnight ago, after he was allegedly trailed and assaulted, leading to his death in the hospital.

Speaking to Citizen TV, a man who is believed to have rescued the priest when he found him wounded along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.

"It was around 10am, as I was coming from the Gilgil direction. I saw a person waving at me, and I initially thought it was a customer who needed my services," he said anonymously.

According to Citizen TV, the man immediately noticed that the priest had visible injuries.

"I then rushed him to the hospital," he said.

Investigations into Father John Maina's death

This comes a day after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) released a statement indicating the priest's last moments alive.

"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 in part.

The investigative agency indicated that the priest had visible injuries on the left side of his head and had blood oozing from his mouth.

"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 indicated.

It also emerged that the cleric was being trailed by unknown thugs who wanted to rob him of the money he received in the event attended by Rigathi Gachagua.

"Further, detectives are investigating reports that Fr. Maina had claimed his life was in danger, though he had not reported the same at any police station."

The DCI noted that so far, several statements have been recorded, and detectives are actively pursuing forensic leads to reconstruct Father Maina’s final movements and arrest suspects.

The authorities said they are committed to identifying and apprehending those responsible for this heinous act.

Rigathi Gachagua mourns Father John Maina

On Wednesday, May 21, the former deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua, took to his social media platform to mourn the slain Catholic priest.

"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," his statement indicated in part.

Rigathi narrated his last moments with the priest, recounting how he attended the Silver Jubilee celebrations two weeks ago.

"He was my personal friend and counsellor for a long time. I met him several times, and we discussed many issues of National interest," he said.

In his communique, the former DP called upon the investigative agencies to speed up the probe into the cleric's death and bring those involved to book.

"I pass my deepest sympathies to the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Nyahururu, Catholic Faithful of Igwamiti Parish, and the Catholic fraternity. I pray to Almighty God to rest the Soul of Fr. John in eternal peace and perpetual light shine upon him forever," he added.

Fiery sermon in Father John Maina's church

In other news, a video of the fiery sermon that was preached on the day that Rigathi Gachua visited Father John's church has been trending since the priest's death.

The preacher called out the government over the ballooning debt in the country, among other issues, which he said are plaguing the country.

Father John was spotted listening keenly, together with other congregants and the visiting politicians.

Source: TUKO.co.ke