Mystery deepens over Father Ndegwa's death as post-mortem yields no answers

A post-mortem conducted on the body of Catholic priest Father John Maina Ndegwa on Monday revealed inconclusive results regarding the cause of his death.

A police officer, who requested to remain anonymous, informed The Standard that the examination took place in Nyahururu, with representatives from the Church present.

“A physical examination of the body indicated that he had minor bruises on his head, which are unlikely to be the cause of death,” said the police source.

The officer also disclosed that internal organs were sent for further toxicological testing to determine if Father Ndegwa, who was found in a near-lifeless state, had been poisoned.

According to police reports, Father Ndegwa, who was assigned to the Catholic Diocese of Laikipia, was discovered by a resident on the roadside near Kikopey, Gilgil, last Thursday.

“The resident took him to St Joseph's Hospital, where he briefly but faintly communicated with the doctors. Unfortunately, he died before he was able to provide information about the circumstances surrounding his condition,” the officer stated.

The police further indicated that it remains unclear how Father Ndegwa ended up at that location, especially since his vehicle was found miles away in Nyahururu, suggesting potential foul play.

“The priest's vehicle is still in Nyahururu, so we do not know how or with whom he travelled to Kikopey. It appears someone may have harmed him elsewhere and then dumped him in Kikopey as a cover-up,” the officer noted.