[PRESS RELEASE] – Catholic Diocese of Yei Condemns Murder of Kenyan Engineer

(YEI COUNTY) – The Catholic Diocese of Yei has issued a strong condemnation of the murder of Kenyan civil engineer James Kariuki, who was shot dead on 31 July 2025 while travelling along the Yei-Kaya road in Central Equatoria State.

The incident occurred around 8:00am as Engineer Kariuki was driving toward Koboko, Uganda, reportedly in a vehicle contracted by the Missionary Society of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

According to the statement released by Bishop Alex Lodiong Sakor Eyobo of the Catholic Diocese of Yei, the 31 July attack was brutal and deliberate. Kariuki, who had been hired to reconstruct the priests’ residence at Holy Trinity Parish in Morobo County, was fatally shot and his body partially burned when his vehicle was set ablaze. The vehicle came under sporadic gunfire as he travelled along the road.

The bishop, who visited the scene, confirmed that a second individual was also killed during the incident. According to South Sudanese security forces, the second fatality was believed to be one of the attackers and was killed in pursuit operations by government forces. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, a common pattern in such incidents in South Sudan. However, eyewitnesses reportedly suspect that the assailants may belong to armed opposition groups operating in and around greater Yei.

Engineer Kariuki had been working on the renovation of the priests’ residence at Holy Trinity Parish, a project that was intended to facilitate the return of the Salesians of Don Bosco, who had left the area in 2016 due to the outbreak of violent conflict in the country. The Salesians were entrusted with the parish in 2014 under the authority of the Diocese of Yei.

Bishop Lodiong, deeply moved by the tragedy, cited the biblical verse from Genesis 4:10, saying the blood of the slain cries out for justice. He urged those who resort to violence out of anger, fear or material gain to reflect deeply, warning that such killings are purposeless and do not address the underlying frustrations or challenges in South Sudan.

He stated that the murder of Engineer Kariuki, though painful, would not stop the Catholic Diocese of Yei from continuing its pastoral and social mission. The Church would persist in its work with communities, guided by the example of Christ, “who went around doing good for the people of his time.”

In his final appeal, Bishop Lodiong called on all South Sudanese, particularly those involved in armed groups whether aligned with government or opposition, to abandon violence and seek dialogue and reason. He stressed that violence only deepens national grievances and delays peace, urging that military solutions suppress issues temporarily but never truly resolve them.

The Church called for prayers and peace for the soul of Engineer Kariuki and all others who have died in similar violent circumstances.