Priest denies killing bishop 10 years ago

By LUCIANNE LIMO

Isiolo, Kenya: A priest charged with the murder of Isiolo Catholic Diocese Bishop Luigi Locati ten years ago has denied killing him.

Taking the witness stand, Guyo Waqo told a trial court that he enjoyed a cordial relationship with the bishop and would not think of harming him.

“I had known Locati for 40 years. I worked with him as a priest from 1982 until he became bishop in 1985. Before he became bishop, I was his assistant in Isiolo parish,” narrated the priest.

Prosecutor Jacob Ondari, however, produced letters the priest wrote to the bishop indicating a strained relationship, with Guyo accusing Locati of   dictatorial leadership.

According to the prosecution, Guyo wrote several letters to the bishop complaining about the religious community in Isiolo and mentioned how divided they were and how they would remain so if Locati did not intervene.

The priest told Justice Fred Ochieng he wished he left Isiolo for Europe to work there instead of saying working at the Isiolo diocese was hard.

The priest, alongside Mohammed Molu Bagajo, Aden Ibrahim Mohamed, Mahati Ali Halake, Diqa Wario and Roba Balla Bariche are accused of killing the Italian cleric in his house on the night of July 14, 2005.

In his ruling, Justice Ochieng’ said the prosecution had adduced evidence that the priest was the originator of the idea that the bishop should be killed.