Man returns stolen Sister Nyaatha portraits

The commemorative plaque for Blessed Irene Stefani Nyaatha erected along Kimathi Street in Nyeri Town. A man has returned portraits which had been stolen from the plaque. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The man then fled after delivering the pictures which were, however, damaged.
  • Fr Peter Githinji said he was elated that the photos had been returned.
  • He said that the return of the stolen items was a signal that Blessed Irene was really a Saint as are rarely returned.
  • The Nyeri County government, under the Department of Special Programmes, will keep the pictures.

The portraits of Blessed Irene Stefani Nyaatha stolen from a commemorative plaque have been returned by “a Good Samaritan” days after the Daily Nation published the story.

The pictures were handed to a night guard at the Nyeri Town Catholic bookshop.

The man then fled after delivering the pictures which were, however, damaged.

The portraits had been erected around the commemorative plaque in honour of the Blessed Irene Stefani “Nyaatha” during her beatification ceremony in May 2015.

Speaking by phone, Fr Peter Githinji, who was in charge of the beatification ceremony, said he was elated that the photos had been returned.

NYAATHA A SAINT

He also extended his gratitude to the person who returned the pictures.

He said that the return of the stolen items was a signal that Blessed Irene was really a Saint as are rarely returned.

“We are happy and grateful to the “Good Samaritan” who returned the pictures to us but most importantly awed that the pictures were found. We thank God for ‘touching’ the person,” Fr Githinji said.

He, however, condemned the theft but said the church had forgiven the man.

The Nyeri County government, under the Department of Special Programmes, will keep the pictures.

According to the Special Programmes County Executive Lucy Wanyitu, repair of the ground where the plaque was mounted will start in two weeks’ time.