Catholic priest handed death sentence for killing bishop

From left, Father Guyo Waqo Malley, Mohammed Molu Bagayo, Aden Ibrahim Mohamed, Mahati Ali Halake, Diqa Wario Mohammed and Roba Balla Bariche in court on November 4, 2014. PHOTO | ANTHONY OMUYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

A Catholic priest and four accomplices were on Thursday sentenced to death for the murder of Bishop Luigi Locati nine years ago.

High Court judge Fred Ochieng, however, stopped the execution of the sentence until the suspects' appeal is heard and determined.

Father Guyo Waqo Malley, Mohammed Molu Bagajo, Adan Ibrahim Mohammed, Mahati Ali Halake and Diqa Wario Mohammed were on Tuesday found guilty of conspiring and executing the killing of the Italian bishop in the Isiolo diocese he founded four decades ago.

The judge said Fr Guyo played a key role in the elimination of the bishop by providing Sh50,000 to finance the plan and the acquisition of the G3 rifle as well as ferrying the other four men to the bishop’s residence.

Fr Guyo told the court that the Sh42,000 he withdrew from a bank was meant for desks.