John Mbuthia, witness in Sister Stefani Nyaatha beatification dies at 95

Mzee John Mbuthia from Gikondi Village in Mukurwe-ini, Nyeri, gives his personal account of Sister Irene Stefani on May 22, 2015. Mbuthia died Tuesday August 25, 2015 aged 95. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mbuthia was the only remaining key witness who knew Sr Irene before her death in 1930.
  • His elder son, Joseph Boiye described his father as an active Christian who kept his faith throughout his life.
  • Fr Githinji said the church will honour Mbuthia through a special holy Mass to be conducted both at Gikondi church.
  • Preparations for Mbuthia’s burial are underway at his home in Gikondi.

The man who gave substantial evidence that led to the beatification of Sister Irene Stefani is dead.

John Mbuthia died on Tuesday aged 95 at his Gikondi home in Mukurwe-ini after suffering a heart problem.

Fr Peter Githinji of the Nyeri Catholic Archdiocese said Mbuthia was the only remaining key witness who knew Sr Irene before her death in 1930.

He gave evidence on his knowledge of Sr Irene to the Vatican that saw Pope Francis declare her blessed and approved her beatification.

“We have lost a great man. He was still helping us find out more miracles that Sister Irene may have done while evangelising.

“We still need more miracles to happen in her name for her to be made a saint,” said Fr Githinji.

CHURCH TO HONOUR MBUTHIA

He said the church will honour Mbuthia through a special holy Mass to be conducted both at the Gikondi church, where he served, and at Our Lady of Consolata Cathedral, where Blessed Sister Irene’s remains are kept.

His elder son, Joseph Boiye, described his father as an active Christian who kept his faith throughout his life.

“He was a good father who we will live to remember and more so for instilling Christianity and good morals in us,” said Mr Boiye.

Mbuthia was also at the forefront in helping in the preparations for the first Sr Irene memorial celebrations, which will be held on October 31 as declared by the congregation for the cause of saints.

This announcement was made public by the Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam, Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, during the beautification ceremony of Sr Irene at the Dedan Kimathi University grounds.

Preparations for Mbuthia’s burial are under way at his home in Gikondi.