By Paschal Norbert
NAIROBI, AUGUST 20, 2024 (CISA) – The Catholic Justice and Peace Department (CJPD) of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) is set to mark the 24th anniversary of the late Rev Fr John Anthony Kaiser, MHM, under the theme ‘Embracing a Culture of Listening for a Just Nation’.
The commemoration will take place on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish, South C, organized by the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi Catholic Justice and Peace Department.
Born in Perham, Minnesota United States of America on November 23, 1932, Fr Kaiser was ordained in St. Louis for the Mill Hill Fathers in 1964 and was sent to their mission in Kenya the same year. He worked in the Catholic Diocese of Kisii for 20 years; and later in the dioceses of Nakuru and Ngong.
He was a Catholic priest known for his unwavering commitment to social justice and his fearless advocacy for the marginalized and oppressed. Serving in Kenya during a time of political turmoil and widespread injustice, Fr Kaiser became a prominent voice for the voiceless, tirelessly working to uplift the poor and challenge systemic abuses of power.
His ministry was characterized by a deep empathy for the suffering and a resolute determination to address the root causes of inequality. His work extended beyond the pulpit; he was actively involved in grassroots efforts to promote human rights and alleviate poverty, earning the respect and gratitude of countless individuals whose lives he touched.
Tragically, his dedication to justice came at a profound personal cost. Fr Kaiser was on the morning of August 24, 2000, found dead at Morendat near Naivasha Town, along the Nakuru-Nairobi Highway. The cause of his death could not be ascertained, which prompted the Government of Kenya to open an inquest into Fr Kaiser’s death at the request of KCCB.
The inquest ended on June 12, 2007, after hearing and gathering evidence from 111 witnesses. On August 1, 2007, the then-presiding magistrate ruled that Fr Kaiser had been assassinated and that the ‘suicide theory’ was based on a preconceived notion. She further stated that she could not, based on evidence tabled before her in the inquest, point out with certainty who killed the priest.
However, people believe Fr Kaiser was murdered in what was widely believed to be an act of retaliation for his outspoken criticism of the government’s oppressive practices and his advocacy for the disenfranchised. He was a fierce critic of President Moi’s regime.
His death underscored the perils faced by those who confront entrenched injustices, marking him as a martyr for social justice. The ultimate sacrifice of his life stands as a powerful testament to his courage and the enduring impact of his mission to give voice to the oppressed and fight for a more equitable world. Fr. Kaiser’s legacy continues to inspire those who strive to uphold the values of justice and compassion in the face of adversity.
CJPD eulogizes Fr Kaiser as “a champion of social justice who never shied away from confronting institutions and personalities who were bent to oppress and deny the less fortunate and underprivileged their human rights. He was Spontaneous and a down-to-earth Priest who was equally full of kindness and embraced all regardless of their status in society. He thrived in empowering the poor and speaking out for the oppressed, especially the Homeless. He was an advocate of human rights and a just society. He lived the true meaning of a priest by following in the footsteps of Christ.”
