Sh400,000 Gift from Gachagua, Sh2M Car Debt and Conflicting Accounts In Murder of Catholic Priest

Financial troubles and contradictory testimonies emerge as key factors in investigation into Father John Maina’s death

The mysterious death of Father John Maina, the Catholic priest found injured along the Nakuru-Nairobi highway on May 15, has taken a complex turn as investigators uncover a web of financial difficulties, alleged threats, and conflicting testimonies that paint a troubling picture of his final days.

At the center of the investigation lies a tale of financial desperation that may have sealed the priest’s fate.

According to sources within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Father Maina had withdrawn Sh2 million from the Igwamiti Parish account without proper authorization from other signatories to purchase a vehicle – a deal that ultimately collapsed, leaving him scrambling to replace the funds.

The priest’s attempts to remedy the situation reveal the depth of his predicament.

He sold his personal car for Sh720,000 and secured a loan of Sh150,000 from a friend, but still faced a substantial shortfall that weighed heavily on his mind.

“He was in distress on how to recover the rest of the money to pay up the balance. He was hoping that he would get the money from that function,” a female friend reportedly told detectives, referring to the church’s 25th anniversary celebrations attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua two weeks before the priest’s death.

The Gachagua connection

The investigation has revealed that Father Maina allegedly received Sh400,000 as a gift from Gachagua following the former Deputy President’s visit to the parish fundraiser.

However, this claim has sparked a web of denials and contradictions that investigators are still trying to unravel.

According to police sources, the priest confided to a female friend that he had been receiving the money from Gachagua, and that this had somehow put him in danger.

The priest reportedly told this friend that unknown individuals had been trailing him, demanding Sh2 million and believing he had received Sh4 million from the political figure.

“The trailing began after the alleged donations at the Church’s 25 year anniversary celebrations. The assailants alleged that he had been given Sh4 million. They wanted Sh2 million,” an investigator explained.

However, both Bishop Joseph Mbatia of Nyahururu Diocese and Nyandarua Senator John Methu, who accompanied Gachagua to the event, have vehemently denied these claims.

“The priest never visited Rigathi after the silver jubilee celebrations. There was no money that was given to the priest during the event, apart from the normal contributions made by the leaders and faithful,” Senator Methu stated.

Final ours of fear

The priest’s last day alive paints a picture of a man consumed by fear. On May 14, Father Maina left his residence without his car, telling his housekeeper he was meeting friends in Nyahururu town. However, his final phone conversation tells a different story.

According to investigators, the priest called his female friend in what would be their last conversation, expressing fear that he was being followed in a supermarket. His alleged assailants had reportedly demanded that he carry Sh2 million in cash when they next met.

Father Maina’s phone was switched off within Nyahururu on May 14, and investigators believe his attackers took it with them.

The following morning, May 15, a Good Samaritan boda boda rider found a distressed man waving for help along the highway.

The man, later identified as Father Maina, was wearing sandals and a bright-colored coat, with a visible head injury and no phone.

“He told me he had been poisoned without disclosing by whom and why,” the boda boda rider recounted.

“He had a visible injury on his left side of his head… He had no other injuries on other parts of the body.”

The priest was rushed to St. Joseph Hospital in Elementaita, where he reportedly told medical staff he had been poisoned before dying while receiving treatment.

Church and family denials

Despite the police investigation’s findings, both the Catholic Church hierarchy and Father Maina’s family have disputed key aspects of the case.

Bishop Mbatia maintains that the priest never raised security concerns or appeared disturbed.

“I can confirm that the priest had not raised any issues about his security, that is news to me,” the Bishop said.

The family, through spokesman Peter Muigai, has expressed frustration with the investigation process, particularly regarding access to the autopsy report and the church’s apparent control over burial arrangements.

“There are so many things we do not understand as a family, a lot of conflicting information. We also do not understand why the media could be forced out of the morgue during the postmortem,” Muigai said.

Unanswered questions

As Father Maina was laid to rest on May 22 at Tabor Hill Catholic Cemetery in Nyandarua County, numerous questions remain unanswered.

The post-mortem report, crucial to determining the exact cause of death, has yet to be released to the family three days after the examination.

While investigators continue to piece together the events leading to Father Maina’s death, the conflicting accounts from church officials, political figures, and alleged witnesses create a maze of contradictions that may take considerable time to resolve.

The priest, described by parishioners as humble and dedicated, had served Igwamiti Parish for only one year before his death.

His final project – a modern kitchen for the church that was to be operational within a month – now stands as an unfinished testament to a life cut short under mysterious circumstances.

As the investigation continues, the truth behind Father John Maina’s death remains shrouded in secrecy, financial intrigue, and contradictory testimonies that may ultimately determine whether justice will be served in this tragic case.

The priest has been buried today.