Pain has gripped the Catholic community in Laikipia North after a priest was found dead inside his room at Our Lady of Rosary Doldol Parish.
Father Lucio Karioki was discovered on Tuesday morning after a fellow priest became concerned when he failed to respond before the parish was expected to hold morning Mass.
The alarm was raised at about 6:30 am after attempts to wake Father Karioki went unanswered. His colleague alerted the police, who arrived at the parish and found the priest’s room locked from inside.
Officers were forced to gain entry into the house, where they found Father Karioki unresponsive. He was later confirmed dead at the scene.
Police officers who examined the body reported that there were no visible external injuries. However, foam was observed coming from his mouth, raising questions about what may have happened before his death.
The circumstances surrounding the priest’s death remain unclear. His remains were taken to the mortuary at Nanyuki Level Five Hospital, where a postmortem examination is expected to establish the cause of death.
Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to piece together the events leading to his death.
Father Karioki’s death has left members of the local Catholic community mourning the loss of a priest they had come to know and appreciate through his service at the parish.
The incident has also drawn attention to other unexplained deaths recently reported in different parts of the country.
In Kilifi County, a 68 year old security officer was found dead inside a cooling plant containing coolant at a company in Rabai. Police said there were no visible injuries on his body, and an autopsy was ordered.
For the Doldol parish community, however, the focus remains on the sudden loss of Father Karioki as they await answers from the postmortem examination.