John Maina: Catholic priest expressed fear over life before his death

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is now unraveling a grim puzzle following the shocking death of Father John Maina, a Catholic priest from Igwamiti Parish in Nyahururu.

It is emerging that Fr Maina could have been trailed by unknown individuals demanding a share of money allegedly given to him after hosting an event at his church.

In a detailed post on their official X account, the DCI traced Fr. Maina’s final public appearance to the Silver Jubilee Anniversary of the Igwamiti Catholic Parish, held on April 27, 2025. 

The event was graced by several political leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

INVESTIGATION INTO THE MURDER OF FATHER JOHN MAINA

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations is investigating the circumstances surrounding the murder of Father John Maina from Igwamiti Parish, Nyahururu.

Reports indicate that, on April 27, 2025, Fr. Maina attended a silver…

— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) May 20, 2025

Less than three weeks later, on May 15, Fr. Maina was discovered lying injured near the Diotomite stage along the Nakuru-Nairobi highway by a boda boda rider. 

“He told the boda boda rider that he had been abducted from Nyahururu,” DCI added.

The Good Samaritan rushed him to St. Joseph’s Mission Hospital in Gilgil, where doctors noted fresh bruises on the left side of his head, bleeding and swollen.

Despite emergency efforts, Fr. Maina died minutes after being admitted.

His body was later moved to the Nyahururu Sub-County morgue, where a post-mortem was conducted by Dr. Ngulungu, a government pathologist. 

The autopsy, however, revealed that the visible head injuries were not the cause of death.

“Preliminary findings revealed that the bruises observed on Fr. Maina’s head were unlikely to be the cause of death,” the DCI stated, adding, "Toxicology samples were taken to determine whether poison or any other substances were involved."

So far, several witnesses have recorded statements. 

Detectives also added that Fr. Maina had confided to close associates that his life was in danger, but he never filed an official report with the police.

Forensic experts are now working to piece together Fr. Maina’s final movements as detectives zero in on potential suspects.