Daily Nation: Kaiser inquest resumes

Fr. Kaiser death inquest resumes after break

Story by Francis Thoya
Publication date: 1/8/07

An inquest into the death of Mill Hill missionary Fr John Anthony Kaiser resumes in Nairobi today. The court is this week expected to inquire into a theory that the cleric committed suicide.

Detectives from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, who are behind the suicide theory, are expected to take the witness stand to defend their findings. The Catholic Church has rejected the FBI stand, insisting the missionary was killed.

The Nation has established that the court has issued witness summons for the FBI detectives to appear.

Lawyer Mbuthi Gathenji, who is representing the Catholic Church, said summons had already been sent to the US embassy through the Attorney-General’s Office.

“It is our hope that the FBI detective will appear before the inquiry to shed light to the circumstances leading to the death of Fr Kaiser. The evidence is crucial to the inquest,” the advocate said.

Fr Kaiser was found dead near Naivasha Town on August 24, 2000. His body was found under acacia trees, near his pick-up truck.

Following protests by the Catholic Church and human rights groups, the Government ordered a detailed investigation, which was conducted by FBI and the Criminal Investigations Department.

Special agent

However, in 2001, the FBI concluded their investigation, indicating that Fr Kaiser committed suicide.

At a news conference on April 19, 2001, the assistant special agent, who led the investigation, Mr Thomas Carey, said: “During the course of this investigation, no indications of crime developed.”