Shock and grief have gripped Catholic faithful in Laikipia North after a priest was found dead inside his locked residence at Our Lady of the Rosary Doldol Parish.
The deceased has been identified as Father Lucio Karioki, whose body was discovered on Tuesday morning under circumstances that have left church members and residents deeply concerned.
The discovery was reportedly made at around 6:30 a.m. when fellow priest Father Vincent Onchweri went to wake Fr. Karioki ahead of the parish’s daily morning Mass.
However, Fr. Karioki did not respond.
With the church door still closed and members of the congregation waiting for the morning service, concern quickly grew among the church leaders.
Law enforcement officers were subsequently called to the parish.
Police and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers arrived at the scene and reportedly found the priest’s residence securely locked from the inside.
After forcing their way into the house, officers discovered Fr. Karioki’s body lying inside.
The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear.
Homicide detectives and local police have since launched investigations as they work to establish what happened before the priest’s death.
An official post-mortem examination is expected to establish the exact cause of death and provide investigators with further leads.
The sudden death has left the Catholic community in Laikipia mourning as investigations continue.
