John Maina: Family of Catholic Priest Killed after Hosting Gachagua Painfully Speaks

• Sarah Wambui said Father John Maina Ndegwa had been a disciplined and respectful person since he was young
• With tears in her eyes, the shattered woman said she had left everything in the hands of God, who was able to bring justice for the family
• Maina's father painfully recounted his son's last words in the hospital as she recalled the state of his slain

The grieving family of the Catholic priest who died under unclear circumstances has spoken on his burial day.

John Maina Ndegwa was allegedly killed weeks after hosting the former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua.

The clergyman hosted the politician as a special guest during the Igwamiti Parish's 25th Family Day celebration.

When was John Maina Ndegwa buried?

Father Maina was buried in an emotional ceremony on Thursday, May 22, at Tabor Hill Spiritual Centre.

Sara Wambui struggled to come to terms with the loss of her son, who was an integral member of the family.

"The tears that I shed are because of the children. I have left everything to God because I know He works. He can do anything, and He is doing it. The suspect should identify themselves, because I know my God has power, and it shall be done—whatever He pleases to do. Not by the hand of man, but by His hand.

I do not have much to say because I feel so bad and hurt. I am in pain and cannot express myself as I would want. This is not an easy matter," she said. John Maina Ndegwa's mum opens up on her son's early childhood

Wambui's dad recounts his son's final words

Wambui described her son's early childhood character, saying that growing up, Maina was a disciplined boy.

She never heard any complaints that her son had hurt or mistreated anyone, nor that he had any issues with anyone.

Maina's grieving father recounted his last moments of his son, whose cause of death remained unclear.

"They gave him some harmful substance. His last words were, 'They gave me a substance.' That was it. Those were his final words. After saying that, he did not speak again. We saw his head, and he seemed to have been hit several times. His clothes looked like they had been ripped apart. Even one of his shoes was torn. It was as though he was being pulled by something," he narrated.

Last moments of Father John Maina Ndegwa

According to the family, Maina was last seen driving a double-cabin vehicle towards Mary Immaculate Cathedral Parish, which is the main church of the Nyahururu Diocese, on Wednesday, May 14, around 10 a.m.

The following day, he was found alive but in critical condition by a boda boda rider on Kikopey Road, heading toward Nakuru, and was rushed to St. Joseph Hospital.

Workers at St. Louis Igwamiti Parish, who were struggling to come to terms with the death of their priest, said Maina left in his car alone around 11 a.m.

Kenyans comfort John Maina's parents

Many Kenyans took to social media to mourn John Maina and comfort his parents.

A faction of netizens wondered why anyone who hurt a priest and inflict such pain on his family.

Here are some of the comments:

Carol Getao said:

"There's nothing worse than when a person utters this word, especially from a painful situation, 'nmewachia Mungu', it's like being placed under a curse."

Catherine Njuguna said:

"This is very sad ...may the peace which surpasses all human understanding be with the mother and the family."

Nancy Ndumbi said:

"Merciful God, wipe away her tears, and let justice take its course. May his soul rest in peace."

Anneh Kinya

"I am so sorry, Mum. Let the killers never find peace in their lives..RIP Father John."

John Maina Ndegwa buried in Nyahururu

In another account, a cloud of heaviness hung over Igwamiti Parish in Nyahururu as the slain priest was laid to rest.

Hundreds of mourners attended the emotional ceremony as they finally laid the man of God to rest.

One notable absence was Rigathi Gachagua, who had been hosted by the clergyman just weeks before his death.

Racheal Nyaguthie, HoD Human Interest, added reactions to this story.

Source: TUKO.co.ke