Embu Diocese Bids Farewell to Seminarian Kelvin Mutugi as Bishop Kimani Leads Funeral Mass

Sign InChurchEmbu Diocese Bids Farewell to Seminarian Kelvin Mutugi as Bishop Kimani Leads Funeral MassBy Boniface Mulyungi · October 9, 2026 · 2 min readSponsored AdThe Catholic Diocese of Embu on Friday, October 9, 2026, bid farewell to Seminarian Kelvin Mutugi Gichiku, who died following a tragic road accident along the Embu-Meru Highway.

The funeral Mass was presided over by the Bishop of Embu, Rt. Rev. Peter Kimani Ndung’u, at St. Francis of Assisi Nthagaiya Catholic Church grounds, before the seminarian was laid to rest at his family home in Kawanjara, near the junction.

During the Mass, Diocese of Embu Vicar General Very Rev. Fr. Eliud Wanyoike urged Christians to remember that life on earth is temporary and that human life remains in God’s hands.

Delivering the homily, Fr. Wanyoike said the late seminarian had left the temporary struggles of earthly life for what he described as God’s permanent home in heaven.

He eulogised Mutugi as a jovial, lively and well-mannered young man who had demonstrated a strong desire to become a priest.

Fr. Wanyoike, who worked with the deceased for about two months during his pastoral experience, recalled his character and commitment as he served under his guidance.

He likened human life to a tent whose owner is God, noting that people should remain mindful of their conduct, words and actions as they journey through life.

“We are in the tent and at any time, the owner who is God takes what He wants. When we leave here, what follows us is our deeds. Let us look at our conduct, words and actions so that they do not hinder us from reaching God,” he said.

The Vicar General urged Christians to pray, live righteously and prepare themselves for eternal life, expressing hope that they would reunite with Mutugi in heaven.

He also described Christianity as a journey of cleansing, using the example of the Golden Buddha, a valuable statue that was covered with mud to conceal it from invaders.

According to Fr. Wanyoike, Christians should seek to rid themselves of anger and other vices, adding that the Church offers an opportunity for spiritual renewal through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

In his introductory remarks, Bishop Kimani said the Diocese had gathered to console Mutugi’s family and friends while praying for the repose of his soul.

He thanked God for the seminarian’s life and the testimony of his desire to serve the Church as a priest.

Mutugi was a third-year theology student at Christ the King Major Seminary in Nyeri and was pursuing his vocation to priesthood within the Catholic Diocese of Embu.

His death has left family members, friends and the Catholic community mourning a young man who had hoped to dedicate his life to religious service.

As the Diocese and the bereaved family come to terms with the loss, the faithful were encouraged to draw comfort from their faith and to remember the late seminarian through his character and aspiration to serve God.

May perpetual light shine upon him, and may his soul rest in eternal peace.

BMBoniface MulyungiReporter, Uzalendo News.