Kenya: Priest shot dead in robbery

Source: Fides

A Kenyan priest has been killed in a robbery.

On Monday morning, 10 December, Fr John Njoroge Muhia, parish priest at Kinoo, Kiambu, 25 km from Nairobi, was on his way to a bank in the town of Kikuyu to deposit the offerings of the faithful when he was approached by four bandits on motorcycles. The criminals forced the priest to stop on the bumpy road and told him to hand over the bag he had in the car.

When the priest hesitated one of the robbers pulled out a gun and opened fire, shooting through the back window of the car. Some of the bullets hit Fr Njoroge in his chest. The criminals grabbed the priest's bag and mobile phone and drove away on their motorbikes. An eyewitness in a nearby building site said he heard the shooting and saw two motorbikes make a speedy retreat. The priest was declared dead on arrival at the county hospital.

"We are deeply saddened by the killing of Fr. Njorog. Murder of the Lord's servants is unacceptable" said Fr Francis Kiarie, who has worked with the priest killed.

Fr John Njoroge Muhia, 56, from Gatitu, was ordained a priest on 30 December 1994 and served at St Peter the Rock Parish in Kinoo.

A local spokesman Peter Wainaina, said Fr Njoroge was a dedicated priest who worked hard to serve the parish since he was posted there six months ago. He said Fr Njoroge had spent his Sunday at a seminar with the Catholic Men Association at St Steven's Church, Kinoo.