Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

- New details emerged regarding the death of Father John Maina Ndegwa, the Catholic priest who was found murdered weeks after hosting former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.

The post-mortem exercise conducted on the slain Nyahururu Catholic priest shows he died from multiple gunshot wounds.

According to Nation, the autopsy showed one of the bullets went through his head, severely damaging his skull.

Maina had multiple gunshot wounds elsewhere on his body, with his body still covered in blood on Monday, May 19.

The postmortem was performed by government pathologist Titus Ngulungu at Pope Benedict Catholic Hospital mortuary, in the presence of close relatives, the Nyahururu Diocese Vicar General Fr Timothy Maina and 10 other priests.

To complicate the case, Ngulungu declined to speak to the media, citing strict instructions by the Church not to discuss the report, even as the relatives expressed dissatisfaction with how the church has handled the matter.

Preliminary investigations show the killer was determined to ensure he was dead by the time they exited the scene.

"The body is in bad shape, it was badly mutilated," said a detective who witnessed the postmortem examination

As reported, grief and sorrow engulfed the Catholic community and Kenyans nationwide following the sudden passing of the respected priest from the Catholic Diocese of Nyahururu.

His death sent shockwaves through both religious circles and the wider public, occurring just three weeks after he hosted the former deputy president and other notable figures at a prominent fundraiser.

The priest’s lifeless body was discovered on Thursday, 15 May, about 50 kilometres from his base at Igwamiti Catholic Church.

Detectives from the DCI believe the murder took place elsewhere, with the body subsequently abandoned at Kikopey along the Nakuru-Nairobi highway near Gilgil.

The clergyman’s Subaru Forester, suspected to have been used by the attackers to transport and dispose of the body, was missing.

The event, held at St. Louis Catholic Parish, Igwamiti, where Fr. Maina served, was organised to raise funds for the purchase of a parish van and to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the church.

During his sermon on Sunday, April 27, the late priest delivered a powerful message to the political class.

He urged political leaders in the country to lead with humility, honesty, and a sincere concern for the welfare of Kenyans.

Fr. Maina is remembered as a compassionate shepherd who faithfully served his community and advocated for a better, more just society.

According to Nakuru detectives who are probing the murder, the slain bishop was trailed by his killers from Nyahururu to the point where he was assaulted and left for dead.

The officers disclosed that the man of the cloth had previously expressed fear for his life, although he did not formally report the matter to the police.

The killers, according to primary investigations, wanted Father Maina to give them a share of the money he had allegedly received after presiding over the Silver Jubilee Anniversary Ceremony attended by the former deputy president.

The security officers have yet to arrest any suspect in the brutal murder of the bishop.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) in a statement on Tuesday, May 20, said its officers are following up on the key leads to trace and document the deceased's last moments to close in on suspects.

The sleuth's body confirmed that several individuals privy to the happenings have recorded statements, which will help in the investigation and subsequent arrest of suspects.

"Our team of dedicated investigators is working diligently to resolve this matter with the utmost integrity and thoroughness to secure justice for the victim," said the DCI.

Source: TUKO.co.ke