The Catholic priest who was last week murdered while at Makutano Township in Meru was on Monday buried at a sorrowful sendoff attended by hundreds of faithful.

Speakers who spoke at the funeral mass held at Muujwa Catholic church in Imenti Central eulogised Fr Eutychus Murangiri, 32, as a loving and a social youth who interacted with people from all sort of life.

Father Henry Karigi who read the Eulogy on behalf of the Church said the priest has left a legacy and would be remembered the church for the short time he served the Catholic Church.

“The late Fr Eutychus was social and understanding man who could socialize with every group despite the age. He was a very jovial man who could make everyone happy. In the seminary life, he was loved by everyone due to his entertainment character,” said Fr Karigi in his eulogy to his colleague.

The priest, added that Fr Murangiri while at the Catholic seminary underwent spiritual, social, intellectual and human formation, a character required in the ministry of priesthood.

“During his priest formation, he was given notable responsibilities including being master of ceremonies in liturgical functions, and also head of student at St Joseph Major Seminary in Nairobi,” Fr Kagiri added.

Meanwhile the several speakers and the clergy who spoke at the mass, urged the authorities to speed up on investigations and bring to book the kilter of the Fr.

Nyaki East MCA Robbert Kithinji who also schooled at the same institution with Fr Murangiri at his primary School said cases of insecurity were rife in Meru and asked police to do their best to bring to book the killers of the priest.

“I studied with the Eutychus at the same primary school and though l was ahead of him l knew him as we come from the same locality. I should not fail to ask the security agencies to ensure that the culprits involved in the murder are brought to book to end the continued trend of criminality targeting innocent souls,” MCA Kithinji said.

Meru county government chief of staff Gideon Kimathi who was representing Governor Kiraitu Murungi on his sentiments accuse the media of highlighting the story of the murder of the Priest.

Kimathi said the media erred in “bringing bad image of the man of God who had family members who were reading the news,”

“Our society must change. while investigations are ongoing the media is tainting the name of the Fr and fail to realize the Fr has a family. The things we are reading in the media after the death of the Fr should stop,” Kimathi said.

“Let us be responsible right now as the investigations are being done because we are reading funny posts on the media,” he added.

However, on his part Fr Elias Kithuri who chairs the priest forum in Meru asked for a heighten security in Meru town, he said criminal elements were on the rise and an acute action was prudent.

“Two to three weeks ago a doctor was attacked in the same town. This tells us that crime in Makutano where the Fr was killed and Meru town has grown. The attack on the Fr and Doctor also means there is a group of criminals to execute the attacks,” Fr Kithuri.

He advised the government to heighten security at Makutano township by setting up a police post in the area.

Fr Eutychus was buried at Muujwa Catholic cemetery. He worked in Kirogine, Igandene , Kiamuri and Nkabune parish in preparation for diaconate and priestly ordination .

On June 6, last year he was ordained a priest by Bishop Salesius Mugambi, the head of Meru Catholic Diocese.

Since his ordination, Fr Murangiri has worked in Limbine parish in Tigania West for five months.