FBI agents fail to attend inquest of murdered priest

By Francis Njuguna
Independent Catholic News, published March 6, 2007

The inquest into the death of Fr John Kaiser, which was scheduled to re-open yesterday in Nairobi, did not take place, as three witnesses from the American FBI failed to appear.
The three senior FBI officers are: Tom Neer, a specialist in behavioral analysis; Dr Vincent Di Maio, a forensics specialist; and Bill Corbett, who has worked in counter terrorism.

When the inquest resumed briefly, Kenyan senior state counsel, Mungai Warui said the three officers had communicated early last month that they would be in Nairobi on 5 March, to testify at the inquest. But last week the FBI, sent a note saying that the would not be available to attend, due to "other unforeseeable assignments" the senior state counsel, explained to the principal magistrate, Maureen Odero. He said they would only be available in "mid March"".

Ms Odero said: "Mid March is a bit vague. We cannot keep on waiting for them as they keep putting up new dates. They need to be concrete as to when they can avail themselves for us, for we are running short of time and we cannot wait for ever".

She ordered the senior state counsel to communicate with the FBI and request the officers to appear on 19 March, when the inquest would resume.

Defence lawyer for the Catholic Church, the Mill Hill Order and the family of the late Kaiser, Mbuthi Gathenji, complained that the FBI seemed to be continually putting off coming to Nairobi to testify.

He said: "I'm not happy with the way, the FBI keeps on giving us new dates. They have failed to honour this court. We might be forced to seek for diplomatic powers of intervention to have them in Nairobi."

Mr Gathenji said the inquest would close immediately the FBI testifies.

Father Kaiser, a 67-year-old priest, worked in Kenya for 36 years. His advocacy for human rights led to his expulsion from the country in 1999, but the government revoked its decision after an outcry in the Kenyan media and appeals from the country's bishops.

On 23 August, 2000, Fr Kaiser was found shot dead at Morendat, 85 kilometers northwest of Nairobi. Newpaper reports said he had angered some members of the Moi government after testifying against two Cabinet ministers in an inquiry on tribal clashes.

The first police officers on the scene thought he had been murdered, but in 2001 the FBI ruled his death a suicide, and the Kenyan government agreed.

The Kenyan Bishops' Conference almost immediately dismissed the FBI results and questioned why it considered the information of only the government pathologist, not the three additional doctors it had sent to the scene to collect evidence. They said that, based on ballistics reports, suicide was a physical impossibility as the bullets had been fired from some distance behind him.
The bishops said that if Father Kaiser committed suicide he "involved himself in rather difficult contortions while in the process."

They said that, although a doctor's report said Father Kaiser had bloody finger marks inside his pants pockets, the FBI failed to explain how he got his hands into the pockets after allegedly blowing off his head. They also said no reasons were given as to why photographs taken from the crime scene were blurred, and no explanation was given as to why fingerprints were found on the priest's vehicle but not on the gun.

Moi lost the presidential election in December 2002, after 24 years in office. Several months later the Kenyan government ordered the inquest.

FBI risks being shut out of Kaiser inquest

Lucianne Limo

Nairobi

East African Standard, published March 5, 2007

An inquest into the death of Mill Hill Missionary Fr John Anthony Kaiser may close without the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) detectives giving evidence.

A Nairobi court has given the detectives from the United States spy agency until March 19 to appear before it and testify or risk being shut out.

The detectives were expected to take to the witness stand on Monday to defend their theory suggesting that the Catholic cleric committed suicide.

"An inquest, like all litigations, must come to a close. The court cannot wait indefinitely for these witnesses to come," Senior Principal Magistrate, Mrs Maureen Odero, warned.

The FBI agents expected to testify include the investigating officer, Mr William Corbett, behavioural analyst, Mr Thomas Neer and the chief medical examiner, Dr Vincent Di Maio.
State counsel, Mr James Mungai, told the magistrate that the detectives failed to attend the court due to another engagement elsewhere.

Lawyer Mbuthi Gathenji, for the Catholic Church, pleaded with the magistrate not to close the case until the FBI agents render their evidence.

Fr Kaiser was found dead at the Morendat junction on the Nakuru-Naivasha road on August 24, 2000.

Consequently, the FBI and CID were detailed to investigate the matter.

The Catholic Church has since rejected the FBI theory insisting that the missionary was killed.

Kaiser inquiry: Sunkuli laments

Kaiser inquiry: Sunkuli laments
Story by FRANCIS THOYA
Publication Date: 2/22/2007
Daily Nation

Former minister of State Julius Sunkuli took the dock yesterday denying killing Mill Hill missionary John Kaiser, seven years ago.

Testifying in an inquest, the former minister said allegations that he had a motive to kill Father Kaiser were untrue, adding that such a story was mooted with a sole purpose of damaging his reputation and ruining him politically.

“Although we had differences with Fr Kaiser, I had no reason to kill him,” Mr Sunkuli told principal magistrate Maureen Odero.

In a private prosecution, the Catholic Church has insisted that Mr Sunkuli plotted to kill Fr Kaiser. The church says the differences related to the minister’s acts of sexual molestation against school girls in Kilgoris and his involvement in the tribal clashes in Trans Mara.

Sexual scandal

Yesterday, Mr Sunkuli said the Fr Kaiser and the Federation of Women Lawyers’ (FIDA) push to implicate him with sexual scandal was aimed at extorting money.

“I believe the sexual abuse allegations were heaped up on me by Fr Kaiser and Fida with a view to extort me,” Mr Sunkuli said.

Mr Sunkuli made the remark in an inquest in which the court is inquiring into the circumstance leading to the death of the missionary.

The missionary’s remains were discovered at the Morindet junction in Naivasha on August 23, 2000.

Mr Mbuthi Gathenji, representing the church, said Fr Kaiser was killed at the height of growing differences over Mr Sunkuli’s involvement in sexual molestation allegations that involved two girls.

The former minister for State said the sexual molestation that faced him in 1999 and 2000 were a scheme of his political opponents, who were ought to ruin his chance of being appointed the vice-president then.

“There was a lot of information that President Moi wanted to appoint me to the position of the vice-president then. I think my political opponents wanted to use the allegations to tarnish my name and ruin my chance,” Mr Sunkuli claimed.

Financial support

Education minister George Saitoti and his Immigration colleague Gideon Konchella and Narok North MP William ole Ntimama are alleged to have offered financial support to a women’s group in Trans Mara to demonstrate in Nairobi against the former minister.

Mr Sunkili said he complained to Ngong Bishop Collin David over Fr Kaiser’s activities that were affecting him but the prelate informed him that the priest was a difficult man to deal with. The hearing continues.

FBI Betraying Fr. Kaiser ... Again

By Stefan Lovgren

On the morning of August 24, 2000, an American Catholic priest, John Kaiser, was found dead at a Kenyan roadside, killed by a gunshot wound to the back of the head. Suspicion quickly fell on the Kenyan government. During the 36 years he spent in the East African nation, Father Kaiser, a Minnesota native and former U.S. Army paratrooper, had earned a reputation as a tireless champion of the poor and a bold critic of corruption among the country's power elite. He had recently accused the powerful minister for internal security, Julius Sunkuli, of systematically raping young schoolgirls over several years.

A U.S. congressional resolution called Kaiser's death an "assassination." To appear transparent in its handling of the case, the Kenyan government enlisted the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was the first time the FBI had been dispatched abroad to investigate the death of a single U.S. citizen. After a seven-month-long probe, in which 145 witnesses were interviewed, the FBI concluded in an 80-page final report that Kaiser had killed himself.

The church was outraged, dismissing the investigation as a mere cover-up. (It's also worth nothing that, according to Catholic doctrine, committing suicide constitutes the gravest of sins.) The Kenyan public, well-aware of its government's sordid history of covering up political murders -- even of clergy members -- was similarly incensed. Early whispers of suicide from top officials had been dismissed by Kenyans remembering the unresolved 1990 murder of Robert Ouko, the Kenyan foreign minister and corruption whistle-blower. Initial police reports then absurdly suggested suicide, even though Ouko's body had been tortured and shot twice before being dropped from a helicopter and set on fire.

Detectives from Scotland Yard were brought in to investigate Ouko's death, but their efforts were blocked at every turn and the inquiry did not even produce a final report. With the Kaiser investigation, there is reason to believe that the Kenyan police led the FBI down a path toward suicide. Witnesses were coached by Kenyan police before being interviewed by U.S. agents. FBI investigators were encouraged to focus on leads highlighting Kaiser's erratic behavior in the 96 hours prior to his death, while ignoring forensic evidence and expert opinions rendering suicide impossible. In the end, it appears from its report that the FBI built its forensic case solely around the testimony of a Texas medical examiner who reached his conclusion of suicide by looking at three dozen blurry photographs, some of which had been taken at a crime scene that had been severely compromised.

Did the world's pre-eminent law enforcement agency kowtow to the will of the Kenyan government? If so, why? The explanation may be floating in the murky waters of geopolitics. Kenya is considered a haven of stability in a part of the world that includes basket cases like Sudan and Somalia. It has been an important U.S. ally in the fight against terrorism. The FBI cultivated a strong relationship with Kenyan police during the investigation of the 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. The late Minnesota Sen. Paul Wellstone, who championed the Kaiser case, said he had evidence there was pressure from the U.S. State Department on the FBI to go easy on the Kenyans. Kaiser may have been sacrificed to keep diplomatic relations smooth.

But in 2002, Kenya's ruling KANU party lost the national election. The new government soon announced a public inquest into the death of Father Kaiser. This inquest began more than three years ago and is still continuing in a Nairobi court. Witnesses once afraid to share information have stepped forward. Their testimony has helped piece together a different picture of what may have happened to Kaiser that fateful night. A security guard says he saw two men following Kaiser and pulling him out of his car before killing him.

Yet one witness has been conspicuously absent at the inquest: the FBI. The bureau has so far ignored requests by the court to testify. It considers the conclusion of its final report just that -- final. But only the FBI can shed light on some key evidence in the case. It still has in its possession crucial exhibits. No ballistics information has been made available. Experts who reportedly carried out such analysis have not been identified, nor have their statements been taken. The FBI should also be able to explain why some key witness testimonies given to its agents never made it into the official file.

It is troubling that Father Kaiser's killers may never be brought to justice -- indeed who killed him may never be known -- but the tragedy is compounded by the arrogance shown by the FBI in ignoring requests to appear at the ongoing inquest. The findings in itsreport may never change, but the FBI has a responsibility to at least explain how it arrived at its conclusion. Father Kaiser's legacy of truth and justice deserves no less.

Government transfers magistrates in surprise shake up

Government transfers magistrates in surprise shake-up

From the East African Standard

January 16, 2007

By Judy Ogutu

The Government has transferred several magistrates.

Seven among them were serving in various courts in Nairobi.

Sources at the Judiciary told The Standard that those moved include Senior Principal Magistrate, Mrs Julie Oseko, who was in the limelight last month for sentencing to death three robbers.

The three, Mr Richard Kayago Maeta, Mr Elias Sikuku and Mr Peter Wafula Mulati had attacked Prof Ngugi wa Thiong’o and his wife Njeeri three years ago at Norfolk apartments in Nairobi.

Sources said Oseko had been moved to Molo.

Senior Principal Magistrate, Mrs Margaret Wachira, who is handling the abuse of office case involving suspended Central Bank of Kenya governor, Dr Andrew Mulei, is also said to have been transferred.

Sources said Wachira was moved to Makadara Law Courts.

Mrs Maureen Odero, who is presiding over the inquest into the death of Catholic priest, Fr John Kaiser, is reported to have moved to the Milimani Commercial Courts. She sat at the Nairobi Children’s Court.

But speaking to The Standard on phone, Judiciary spokesman, Mr Dola Indidis, could not confirm the transfers. Others reportedly moved were Makadara acting chief magistrate, Mrs Grace Nzioka, Kibera Senior Principal Magistrate, Mrs Catherine Mwangi, Nyeri Chief Magistrate, Mrs Reuben Nyakundi, among others.

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.”

FBI claims it will testify

Our recent pleas to have the FBI testify at the inquest in Kenya are starting to pay off. This is the most recent article regarding the inquest:

Kenya: Ministers Named in Kaiser Inquiry

The Nation (Nairobi)
December 5, 2006
Posted to the web December 5, 2006
Francis Thoya
Nairobi

Names of two Cabinet ministers and an MP yesterday featured prominently in the ongoing inquest into the death of Mill Hill missionary John Anthony Kaiser.

Education minister George Saitoti and his Immigration colleague Gedion Konchella and Narok North MP William ole Ntimama are alleged to have offered financial support to a women's group in Trans Mara to demonstrate in Nairobi against former minister Julius Sunkuli accused of abusing schoolgirls in his constituency.

Sexual abuse

As the women were staging the demonstration, Fr Kaiser is claimed to have been investigating Mr Sunkuli over allegations of sexual abuse.

The three politicians are said to have supported the group after the Government failed to take action on Mr Sunkuli.

An inquest presided over by senior principal magistrate Maureen Odero yesterday heard that the priest died before he concluded his investigations.

His remains were discovered at the Morindet junction in Naivasha on August 23, 2000.
Catholic Women Association secretary Anne Kiruti told the court that in August 2000, women in Trans Mara angered by Mr Sunkuli's act, resolved to hold a demonstration against Mr Sunkuli over the claims.

"Since President Moi, among other key institutions, had failed to act on a petition presented to him regarding his minister (Mr Sunkuli), we resolved to hold a demonstration in Nairobi," Mrs Kiruti said.

And because they lacked money with which to organise the protest, the said they sought financial assistance from Prof Saitoti, Mr Konchella and Mr Ntimama. They were then Mr Sunkuli's political rivals.

Sixty women took part in the city demonstrations that started at the Federation of Women Lawyers offices and ended at the Holy Family Basilica.

Mrs Kiruti recounted that they travelled to the city in three matatus on August 15, 2000 at 2am, after they received information that the bus they were set to use, would be burnt.

Moved to Narok

She further told the inquiry that before meeting his death, Fr Kaiser had informed her that he had received complaints of molestation from 16 schoolgirls in Trans Mara.

"I recall Fr Kaiser agreed to support us after we informed him that we had received two complaints of sexual abuse against Mr Sunkuli," the witness said.

Yesterday, Mrs Kiruti claimed she moved from Kilgoris to Narok for fear of her life after Mr Sunkuli threatened her.

Mr Sunkuli turned up before the inquest following summons but he was stood down to allow Mrs Kiruti testify.

The court was yesterday informed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officers will take the witness stand next year to shed light on the circumstances cleading to the the priest's death.

Urgent appeal to FBI

URGENT APPEAL TO THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (FBI) IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

from

THE GENERAL SUPERIOR AND THE GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE MILL HILL MISSIONARIES (MHM)

December 1, 2006

Since August 2003, a Public Inquest has been taking place in a Nairobi Court into the violent death of the American-born Fr. John Anthony Kaiser MHM. Father Kaiser was a tireless worker for peace and justice who had spent 35 years in Kenya. On 24th August 2000, his body was found in the Naivasha area, about 40 miles west of Nairobi. On October 24th, 2000, the United States Congress adopted Resolution 146, requesting “independent and thorough investigations” into the death of this great and courageous Mill Hill Missionary. On the 26th August 2000, FBI teams became involved in the investigations, resulting in the 80 page Final Report, dated 19th April 2001, from the FBI Washington Field Office. After the release of the FBI Report, the late Senator Wellstone from Minnesota, together with the Kaiser family, the Kenyan Episcopal Conference, the Mill Hill Missionaries and the Kenyan people demanded a Public Inquest into the death of the late priest. We are aware that the FBI has been requested by the Kenyan Government to testify, but so far without result.

As the General Council of the Mill Hill Missionaries, we want justice to be seen to be done, and the whole truth of Father Kaiser’s death to be told. On behalf of all the Mill Hill Missionaries in the world, we therefore fully support the recent public appeal of the family members of Father Kaiser, urging the Federal Bureau of Investigation to return immediately the remaining exhibits, and to ensure as soon as possible that all the FBI officers who investigated the late Father Kaiser’s death and Dr. Di Maio, the Chief Medical Examiner of Bexar County (San Antonio, Texas), come to testify in the Inquest currently being held in a Nairobi Court before the Senior Principal Magistrate, Mrs. Maureen Odero.

We deeply regret the fact that the FBI at this stage is still retaining exhibits, thus depriving the Court of crucial evidence. Witnesses have testified that they gave statements and exhibits to FBI Agents, but some of these statements and exhibits are not in the official file given to the Counsels as the Police Inquiry File. Under the Kenyan Evidence Act, documents cannot be introduced in court, unless those who have written them are present and can be cross-examined by the interested parties. It is therefore of paramount importance that the FBI officers appear in Court to give evidence, produce their report and elaborate on their findings.

In the interests of justice, we strongly urge you to ensure that the FBI cooperate fully in the Public Inquest as the inquiry reaches its final stage. Lack of full cooperation by the FBI can only fuel the theory of involvement by the FBI in a cover up.

Finding the real cause of death of Father Kaiser is a matter of urgency, not only to his family and his fellow Mill Hill Missionaries, but to the whole Kenyan people, and to the people of the United States as well.

Yours sincerely,

Rev. Anthony Chantry MHM
General Superior

Rev. Brendan Mulhall MHM
Vicar General

Rev. Michael Corcoran MHM
General Councillor

Br. Jos Boerkamp MHM
General Councillor

Justice should be done to the victims of ethnic clashes

Letter to the Editor, Daily Nation
9/19/2006

As we mark the 6th anniversary of the death of Catholic priest John Kaiser this year, it is time once again to reflect on what he stood for in the fight for the respect of the rights of the internally displaced and the poor in Kenya.

The Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) joined other human rights organisations in remembering a man many people have praised for being outspoken in human rights advocacy. The life and times of Fr John Anthony Kaiser is a study in courage, determination and sacrifice on behalf of the weak, the oppressed and the down-trodden.

He did not consider himself a civil rights activist or champion. His achievements have, however, emboldened and inspired many to love the truth, cherish liberty and fight for human rights. Fr Kaiser said he was just a simple parish priest. We agree and honour him.

Kenya's transition from single-party dictatorship to multi-partyism in the 1990s was accompanied by violent conflicts dubbed the "land" and "ethnic" clashes. These conflicts affected parts of the Coast, Western, Rift Valley and Eastern provinces.

The consequence of these conflicts was destruction of property and means of livelihood, fear and insecurity in society and massive internal population displacement. The victims of the clashes sought refuge in schools and church compounds where they camped and received assistance from the church and well-wishers.

And many of these are still there today, fearing to return to their homes. Others fled to shopping centres or to live with relatives in other parts of the country.

The coming to power of the Narc Government in after the 2002 elections, that ended Kanu's four-decade rule, gave hope to many of these internally displaced people that they would eventually be compensated or allowed to return to their farms. However, to date the Government has not lived up to this expectation. Instead, it has continued to downplay the scope and significance of the serious problem of internal displacement.

There is a lack of political goodwill which is, perhaps, because of the realisation and fear that the issue of land ownership remains very controversial in Kenya.

The RCK's interest in advocating for internally displaced people arises from the Government's failure to find a lasting solution to the problem for year. Our objective is to encourage a positive Government action on IDP issues and to create benchmarks on management of internal displacement in East Africa.

One important effort in this direction is through the government making a conscious effort at enacting the draft IDP law.

The blood of Fr Kaiser, who diligently suffered his congregation for years, should not go in vain. Like the blood of other Kenyan heroes before him, it should keep the flame of the war against injustice burning and ensure the protection of the voiceless.

There is no more important tribute to pay to Fr Kaiser than to fulfil his most cherished vision, that of "Standing up on behalf of the weak, the oppressed and the down-trodden."

SIMON KONZOLO
Assistant Advocacy Officer
Refugee Consortium of Kenya
Nairobi

Bishop warned over remark

The Daily Nation

Published September 2, 2006

Nairobi

A clergyman has been warned against commenting on on the death of Catholic priest John Antony Kaiser, which is the subject of an inquiry.

Senior principal magistrate Maureen Odero, who is presiding over the team investigating the death, said Kenya Episcopal Conference chairman Archbishop John Njue had "no right to use the pulpit to make populist and unsubstantiated claims about the subject of the inquiry".

"While he is entitled to his own opinion and views, he is treading on a very thin line," said Ms Odero.

She said if he had any information relevant to the proceedings, he should share it with the inquiry.

She said the court did not wish to engage in sideshows and "warns Archbishop Njue and like-minded individuals to immediately desist from making any comments touching on the subject of the inquiry".

The magistrate said the court should be allowed to make its own conclusions based on evidence adduced.

She was making a ruling on an application made by a lawyer representing former Cabinet minister Julius Sunkuli, who wanted the cleric charged for contempt of court.

Archbishop Njue was speaking at a Mass to mark Fr Kaiser's anniversary. He said Fr Kaiser fought for the rights of the needy, including land clashes victims.

Other clerics who spoke at the function said they would not rest until the killers of the Mill Hill missionary were arrested.

Yesterday, a DNA specialist, Dr Solomon Mboke, told the inquiry that he carried out tests on a piece of bone believed to have been part of the late priest's skull.

The bone was found by Naivasha Catholic parish workers on September 19, 2000, as they cleared the Morendant junction site on the Nakuru-Naivasha highway for the priest's first memorial service.

The witness said from the tests, there was a likelihood that it belonged to the priest.

Fr Kaiser's body was found on August 24, 2000, near the junction on the Nakuru-Naivasha highway, with his head blown off and a shotgun by his side.

The inquiry will resume on November 1.

Bring Kaiser's killers to book, clerics demand

Story by NYABONYI KAZUNGU Publication Date: 8/28/2006

Catholic Church leaders have said they will not rest until the killers of Father John Kaiser are brought to book. Archbishop Njue The church also asked those with information on why the priest was killed to volunteer it and testify at the ongoing commission of inquiry. In his sermon at Mass to mark the sixth anniversary of Fr Kaiser's death, the Kenya Episcopal Conference chairman, Archbishop John Njue yesterday said: "Even though we were told by the FBI that he committed suicide, we categorically rejected that verdict. It was as a result of that rejection that we instituted an inquiry, which is still on course. The inquiry is a candid indication that we are still asking who killed Fr Kaiser and why." The archbishop said Fr Kaiser was a source of inspiration and hope to the needy and his memory is still alive. "We all remember the mistreatment he received in camps (for land clashes victims). But he did not shy away... He protected human dignity, he never gave up and defended the oppressed to the end," the archbishop said. The Mass was preceded by a procession from St Joseph Cathedral in Ngong to Mary Mother of God Church in Embulbul, about 10 kilometres away. Among those at the memorial were Environment and Natural Resources minister Kivutha Kibwana and Mr Maina Kiai of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. The Mass was led by four other bishops: Cornelius Schilder, Colin Davis, Peter Kairo of Nakuru and Peter Kihara of Murang'a. Fr Fins Eppink and Sister Nuala Ibuum from the International Justice and Peace Commission represented Fr Kaiser's Mill Hill Missionaries. Fr Eppink said: "We will not rest until the circumstances of Fr Kaiser's death are fully clarified and the findings of the commission of inquiry are acted upon." Bishop Kairo read the message from the Pope's representative in Kenya, Archbishop Paul Lebeaupin, in which he described Fr Kaiser as "a humble man who lived his life for the service of the less fortunate in society". Fr Kaiser was a recipient of this year's Milele (Lifetime Achievement) Award. The posthumous award was presented by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights on August 6 in recognition of Fr Kaiser's dedication to the pursuit of human rights and justice for Kenyans. A statement from the Catholic Church last week said that during his 36 years in Kenya, Fr Kaiser campaigned against land grabbing and corruption. "An outspoken critic of the Moi regime, he worked tirelessly for the rights of the poor and marginalised in society," said the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission. Fr Kaiser died under mysterious circumstances at the Morendat junction on the Nakuru-Naivasha road. The Government set up an inquest into his death in 2004 but it is yet to submit its findings. In 1998, the priest had told a judicial inquiry that two Cabinet ministers had trained people to rid Rift Valley Province of opposition supporters. The Government tried to deport him, but revoked the order after protests by interest groups and the international community. He went into hiding when he started receiving death threats and complained of being followed by strangers. He was later found dead.

Rights Agency Gives Kaiser Milele Award

August 25, 2006

Published in the Daily Nation

Father John Kaiser is this year's recipient of the Milele (Lifetime Achievement) Award.

The posthumous award will be presented by the Kenya Human Rights Commission during the Catholic priest's memorial ceremony tomorrow.

According to the commission, the award was in recognition of Fr Kaiser's dedication to the pursuit of human rights and justice for Kenyans.

A statement from the Catholic Church said during his 36 years in Kenya, Fr Kaiser advocated against land grabbing and corruption.

"An outspoken critic of the Moi regime, he worked tirelessly for the rights of the poor and marginalised in society," said the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission.

The cleric was killed six years ago in mysterious circumstances at Morendat junction on the Nakuru-Naivasha road.

After his death, the Government set up an inquest into his murder in 2004 but it is yet to submit its findings.

There will be a procession in Ngong Town to mark the event before Mass to be presided over by Nakuru Catholic bishop Peter Kairo at Mary Mother of God Embulbul Church on Saturday.

Bishop Cornelius Schilder of Ngong Diocese and Fr Kaiser's predecessor, retired Bishop Colin Davis, are also expected to attend the Mass.

Church to hold memorial for slain missionary

From the Catholic Information Service for Africa

August 22, 2006

The Catholic Church has organized a memorial mass for American-born missionary priest Fr John Anthony Kaiser who died in unclear circumstances six years ago.

The mass will be held on Saturday beginning 10.30 am at Mary Mother of God Embulbul Catholic Church, Ngong near Nairobi. There will be a procession from St Joseph Cathedral starting 8.30 am.

The theme of the memorial is: 'Promote and uphold human rights and dignity.'

A judicial inquest into the death of the Mill Hill missionary on August 24, 2000, is going on in Nairobi. The inquest adjourned to August 28 and will continue through September.

The Kenya National Human Rights Commission conferred the 2006 Milele (Lifetime Achievement) award on Fr Kaiser "for dedicating his life to the pursuit of human rights and justice for the Kenyan people."

Man offered cash to kill Fr. Kaiser

Story by NATION Reporter
Publication Date: 04/26/2006

A church official had allegedly been hired in 1999 to kill Catholic priest John Anthony Kaiser, a court heard.

But Mr Francis Kantai, of the Catholic Justice and Peace commission, revealed the alleged plot to the priest and informed him that he was to be given Sh100,000 to poison him.

A witness, Mr Stephen ole Naiguta, told the court in Nairobi yesterday that Fr Kaiser informed him of the murder plot after he heard about it from Mr Kantai.

Mr Naiguta said the priest wanted to know whether Mr Kantai could be trusted or whether he could carry on with the plan if he was given the money.

Big Fish

Fr Kaiser claimed that a "Big Fish" was after his life but he did not give any names, the witness told senior principal magistrate Maureen Odero.

The body of the Mill Hill missionary, who headed the Lolgorian parish of Ngong diocese, was found at the Morendat junction, on the Nakuru-Naivasha road, on August 24, 2000.

A team from the US Federal Bureau of Investigations, which joined their Kenyan counterparts on August 25, concluded that Fr Kaiser committed suicide. But church leaders and human rights lobbyists rejected the report, and demanded an inquest.

Yesterday Mr Naiguta, who is also a JPC official in Trans Mara District, told the court that the priest had insisted that his life was in danger. The hearing continues.

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor
St. Cloud Times
March 4, 2006

Thanks for the Feb. 27 report on the Rev. John Kaiser. He certainly is a hero who we need to learn from. ...

We live with so much corruption in our world today. Kaiser took it on with courage.

The Kenyan government honors him. It is wonderful to see that a foreign government and its citizenry today, like Kenya, would honor one of our citizens. Kaiser's niece, Mary Weaver, put it very well: "We know that he was a wonderful man. But to see the People of Kenya know this and mourn his passing, it was a powerful experience for my parents."

If the people of Kenya could see his great virtue, and remember him, I am sure we can, too.

Anthony Kroll, Holdingford

Kaiser honored by Kenyan government

By Brandon Stahl

Published March 1, 2006
Fergus Falls Daily Journal

An Underwood native was given a lifetime achievement award by a Kenyan rights group for his work in the African country - work that, ironically, may have led to his death at the hands of the Kenyan government.

Father John Anthony Kaiser, a member of the St. Cloud Diocese who spent 36 years as a missionary to Kenya, was found dead in August 2004 from a shotgun wound.

The FBI and the Kenyan Criminal Investigation Division ruled Kaiser's death a suicide, but his family has long believed that he was murdered for speaking out against what he believed was then a corrupt and cruel Kenyan government.

During his time in Kenya, Kaiser was instrumental in helping to build schools, churches, hospitals and orphanages. But, his niece, Mary Weaver of Fergus Falls, said Kaiser also spoke out against the Kenya government's ethnic cleansing by forcing its citizens into concentration camps during a period of land grabs.

“He had death threats, was beaten and left out in the bush, was threatened with deportation,” said Weaver, who lives near where Kaiser grew up. “Three weeks after he died, he was supposed to testify before the Hague, the world criminal court, about the government.”

The group that honored Kaiser, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, created by a new Kenyan regime, recognized Kaiser's dedication to helping the poor in the country, but also singled out his work fighting against the Kenyan government.

“Father Kaiser stood firm in the face of intimidation and death threats,” they wrote in their posthumous nomination. “He never compromised or changed his position in the face of external pressure, but continued his struggle to protect and promote human rights in Kenya ‘til the end of his days.”

“It's almost like a public apology on behalf of the Kenyan government because of what their predecessors did,” Weaver said.

While an official government inquest into Kaiser's death has been off and on since 2002, Weaver and other members of Kaiser's family are hoping to learn the truth for themselves. Weaver believes the FBI sought to ease relations with the Kenyan government and purposefully hid information from their forensic pathologist who studied the case.

Kaiser's death was featured on numerous national news shows, including 60 Minutes. His case was also taken by the late Sen. Paul Wellstone.

Progress in her family's investigation has been slow, Weaver said, however, she may have found an independent pathologist to study Kaiser's death.

“All we want is an independent investigation,” she said. “If they come back with the same conclusions, so be it.”

Kaiser receives Kenyan honor

By Frank Lee

Published February 27. 2006
St. Cloud Times

The Rev. John Kaiser recently received Kenya's highest human rights honor from the very same government he fought against — and some say died at the hands of.

"It's ironic that he did receive this award from a government-sanctioned body," said his niece, Mary Weaver of Fergus Falls.

Kaiser, a member of the Diocese of St. Cloud, was found dead five years ago along a busy highway between Naivasha and Nairobi with a gunshot wound to the head.

The 67-year-old's death was ruled a suicide by the FBI and the Kenyan Criminal Investigation Division, but there is an ongoing judicial inquiry in Nairobi into his death.

The Perham native was an outspoken critic of the ethnic cleansing and distribution of land in the East African country under the regime of former President Daniel arap Moi.

"Many people told John to cool it. He knew that his life was in jeopardy," said the Rev. William Vos, former director of the St. Cloud Mission Office of the Diocese of St. Cloud.

-Humanitarian-

Kaiser shares the Milele (Lifetime) Achievement Award with professor Wangari Maathai of Kenya, an environmentalist, activist and winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize.

"John was a very strong person in every way — a paratrooper, a good college athlete — and also ethically," said Vos, a St. John's University classmate of Kaiser's.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights handed out the award at a Feb. 18 ceremony attended by Bishop Cornelius Schilder of the Diocese of Ngong, where Kaiser worked.

"John just had a real clear view on what's right, and that's what ultimately led to his conflict with the Kenyan government," Vos said of Kaiser's work, which spanned three decades.

Kaiser was helping teen-age girls who accused a Kenyan Cabinet member of sexual assault, but Kaiser died within a week of the scheduled court hearings.

The FBI's report in 2001 referred several times to circumstantial evidence indicating Kaiser, a member of the Mill Hill Missionaries, had suffered from manic depression.

But in a book that was published after his death, Kaiser had written "I am not planning any accident, nor, God forbid, any self-destruction."

"The whole investigation into his death was botched," said Vos, who attended Kaiser's funeral amid thousands of mourners.

The theory that Kaiser, a Roman Catholic priest, would have committed suicide is incomprehensible to Weaver and many others.

"No way — not in my opinion — based on his faith, in which suicide is a big no-no," Weaver said.

-Life and death-

The Diocese of St. Cloud has a relationship today with the Diocese of Homa Bay in Kenya.

"One of the things that is very important to my family is that there's still an inquest happening in Kenya into my uncle's death," Weaver said.

"We've struggled to find a pathologist to do an independent review of the forensic evidence because it means going against the FBI's hired expert."

The 42-year-old is a staff writer for the Dairy Star, a semimonthly newspaper in Sauk Centre, and assistant editor of Lake and Home Magazine, a bimonthly in Fergus Falls.

"We're methodically going through every piece of evidence, and sometimes that's not always available to the attorneys representing our family without a fight," Weaver said.

Weaver would see her uncle for a couple of months whenever he returned to the United States to raise funds for various projects.

The CBS News program "60 Minutes" examined the death of the Minnesotan and featured an interview with the late U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone in May 2001.

"My uncle often played the devil's advocate just to get a rise out of somebody, but was extremely giving, passionate about everything — what he was reading, religion, what he was doing, politics," Weaver said.

Kaiser's work with the International Federation of Women Lawyers-Kenya during the investigation of the rape of Kenyan teens was cited when he received the Milele award.

"We know that he was wonderful man. But to see the people of Kenya know this and mourn his passing, it was a powerful experience for my parents," Weaver said.

About Kenya:

The International Monetary Fund, which had resumed loans in 2000 to help Kenya through a drought, again halted lending in 2001 when the government failed to institute several anticorruption measures.

Daniel arap Moi’s 24-year-old reign ended with the Dec. 27, 2002, elections, and a new opposition government took on the formidable economic problems facing the nation.

» Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania.
» Size: Slightly more than twice the size of Nevada.
» Capital: Nairobi.
» Population: 33.83 million (2005 estimate).
» Life expectancy: 48 years (2005 estimate).
» Death rate: 14.65 deaths/1,000 population (2005 estimate).
» Religions: Protestant, Roman Catholic, Muslim, other.

Source: CIA World Factbook.

Making progress

Recently I have been trying different avenues in order to obtain a forensic pathologist to review the evidence in John's murder. No sooner do I think I have someone when they disappear (not literally) off the face of the earth, never returning emails or phone calls. It's been quite frustrating.

But I have an excellent lead which I'm quite excited about. I will not provide more details until I know it's a done deal, though. I write this simply to have prayers said that it will work out in the manner we need and we're able to get an independent review.

Human Rights Citation

KENYA NATIONAL COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Citation for 2006 Milele (Lifetime Achievement) Award to Fr. John Anthony Kaiser

The Awards Committee for the Third Annual Human Rights and Democracy Awards confers the Milele (Lifetime Achievement) Award posthumously on Father John Anthony Kaiser for dedicating his life to the pursuit of human rights and justice for the Kenyan people.

During his thirty-six years in Kenya, Father Kaiser challenged the Government on corruption and advocated against land grabbing and excess by local politicians. An outspoken critic of the Moi regime, he worked tirelessly for the rights of the poor and marginalized in society. Father Kaiser devoted himself to working with the internally displaced following ethnic clashes in the Rift Valley in 1992. In 1998 he told a judicial inquiry that two cabinet ministers had trained people to rid the area of opposition supporters. Following these accusations, he was told to leave the country and went into hiding, but due to protests from the Kenyan people and successful lobbying from the U.S Government, the decision to deport him was revoked.

Father Kaiser was a firm supporter of women’s rights in every aspest of his work; he courageously protected and supported two girls who were alleged to have been raped by a cabinet minister. He helped furnish the evidence that the Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya (FIDA- Kenya) relied on to institute a private prosecution against Julius Sunkuli, previously a minister of State in the Office of the president.

Father Kaiser stood firm in the face of intimidation and death threats. He never compromised or changed his position in the face of external pressure, but continued his struggle to protect and promote human rights in Kenya till the end of his days. We honour his lifetime achievement and hope that the mystery surrounding the death of this committed individual will one day be unraveled.

Human Rights Crusader Wins Award

A Catholic missionary priest whose death five years ago still remains a puzzle has been awarded the country's highest human rights honour.

Fr John Anthony Kaiser shared the Milele (Lifetime) Achievement Award with noted environmentalist and human rights crusader, Prof Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Prize for Peace.

The award was given by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) during a ceremony attended by among other guests, Bishop Cornelius Schilder of Ngong Diocese, where Fr Kaiser worked.

The national human rights group said Fr Kaiser dedicated his life to the pursuit of human rights and social justice for the Kenyan people during his 36 years in the country.

"An outspoken critic of the [former President Daniel] Moi regime, he worked tirelessly for the rights of the poor and marginalized in society. Fr Kaiser devoted himself to working with the internally displaced people following the State-engineered ethnic clashes of 1992."

Fr Kaiser was found dead in mysterious circumstances on August 24, 2000. A judicial inquiry into the death continues in Nairobi.

In 1998, he told a judicial inquiry that two cabinet ministers had trained people to eliminate opposition supporters where he worked. As a result, he was told to leave the country and went into hiding.

"Fr Kaiser was a firm supporter of human rights in every aspect of his work," the Commission said. "He courageously protected and supported two women who are alleged to have been raped by a Cabinet minister, who also happened to be the Minister for Internal Security."

He worked with the federation of Women Lawyers (Fida-Kenya), which sued Julius Sunkuli, then a Cabinet Minister, in connection with the allegations.

He stood firm in the face of intimidation. He never compromised or changed his position in the face of great pressure, but continued the struggle to protect and promote human rights till the end of his life.

"We honour his lifetime achievement and hope that the issues surrounding the death of this committed individual will one day be unravelled," the Commission said.