On Friday, Catholics from Kenya and Venezuela will bid farewell to Fr Josiah Asa K’Okal as a requiem mass is held at Consolata Shrine in Nairobi.
The 54-year-old missionary Priest who had dedicated his life to serving God and spreading his gospel had his life cut short as the world started a new year.
According to Mwakilishi media, on January 1, K’Okal left his home in the Paloma sector of the community of Tucupita on his bicycle at around 9 am without informing anyone of where he was going.
As reported by Mwakilishi, the Priest, a member of the Consolata Missionaries Congregation had left behind his mobile phone and crucial paperwork.
"Worried individuals, unable to make contact with him for an extended period, banded together to search for him," reads Mwakilishi.
Unfortunately, a day after he disappeared, Fr K’Okal's body was discovered by police officers hanging from a tree in a forest area in Guara, Monagas state.
Following the tragedy, the Missionaries of the Consolata of Venezuela issued a statement conveying their grief and seeking prayers for the soul of Father Josiah as well as solace for his family.
"With deep pain, we announce the death of Father Josiah Asa K'Okal, who was missing since yesterday, January 1, 2024," reads the statement issued on January 2.
He was laid to rest in Venezuela on January 9.
Fr K'Okal was described as an athletic person, a habit he acquired during his time as a marathon runner in Kenya.
It is reported that sometimes he ran, cycled and made long journeys around the parishes, which he combined with his evangelisation work to visit the parishes for which he was responsible.
History
Fr K'Okal was born on September 7, 1969, in Siaya County.
He started his religious profession in 1993 when he joined the Consolata Missionary Congregation.
After pursuing his theological education in London, Fr K'Okal was ordained a priest on August 9, 1997.
After his time in London, he was appointed to Venezuela where he devoted more than five years of his life.
Throughout his career, he assumed numerous positions, such as an administrator, council member, deputy superior, and superior of the Delegation of Consolata Missionaries to Venezuela.
As reported by Mwakilishi, in 2022, K'Okal achieved a noteworthy feat by earning a master's degree in anthropology research from FLASCO in Ecuador.