WATCH: Catholic Church announces requiem masses for Kenyan priest who died in lodging
The Catholic Church in Ruai where the late Father Joseph Kariuki, 43, served, has announced dates for his requiem mass.
Popularly known as Father Karis, the deceased’s first requiem mass will be held at the St Peter’s Parish, Ruai, on July 11, 2023; and at the St. John the Baptist Parish, Mangu, on July 12, 2023, from 2pm.
Also read: Ruger to headline Shoke Shoke Festival
US Citizen jailed over disappearance of Kenyan woman appeals sentence
Thereafter, a funeral mass will take place at St. Mary’s Msongari grounds from 10:30 am and laid to rest on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at the Clergy Cemetery.
The late Father Karuiki’s death continues to be infamous considering he died after a reported night out at a guest house with his girlfriend, 32, of six years.
The Catholic Church does not allow its religious leaders to marry but to abstain from sex for life.
According to the police, Father Kariuki went to Muranga County to have a good time and to meet up with his girlfriend at their preferred hotel where they often met for the past two years. On the evening of last Friday, it was reported he bought food and alcohol worth Sh 6,000 and had a good night. However, on Saturday morning, he died under mysterious circumstances.
His girlfriend reportedly told the hotel reception that she was his colleague and was therefore allowed in to see him. In the morning, it was the same hotel reception she rushed back to for help after noting her boyfriend was becoming dizzy and unconscious. Two hotel staff and the girlfriend then took the naked but covered in a bed sheet, unconscious priest to his personal car and rushed him to the hospital. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. White foam was noted to ooze from his mouth and nose.
Police at the hotel sampled the food and drinks he took and the girlfriend was also questioned. According to Nation. Africa, the police declined to determine the day a postmortem would be conducted until the Catholic Church gave them directions.
WATCH – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0eu0n0rUH8
Despite the infamous death, parishioners at the Ruai Church left glowing tributes to the deceased as sampled below:
“Rip Fr. Karis your indeed was a good man of God who was loved by all of us your followers. Your soul rest in eternal peace. 🙏 🙏,” said Dante.
“A great man, a great friend, a great priest, you will be dearly missed. Very instrumental in supporting YACA, the precursor to YCA, and a very effective shepherd; you will be remembered fondly, rest in power Fr,” added Daniel Makanda.
“Rest in peace eternal 🙏🏾 Fr. Karis… You’ve finished your race to the Father’s House. Pray for us to get there too. Thank you for all you did for us as a parish and a family,” condoled Wambui Githinji,
“He was a great preacher. I enjoyed his preaching at Christ the King parish Embakasi,” noted Lucia Khaemba.