Residents of an eastern town in Venezuela are urging authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the perplexing death of 54-year-old Kenyan Consolata missionary Father Josiah Asa K’Okal. The missionary’s lifeless body was found hanging from a tree in a forest area in Guara, Monagas state, on January 2, a day after his disappearance.
Fr. K’Okal, a dedicated member of the Consolata Missionaries congregation, left his residence in Tucupita on New Year’s Day on his bicycle, leaving behind identity papers and a mobile phone. He was last seen visiting residents along the national highway.
Expressing deep grief, the Missionaries of the Consolata of Venezuela issued a statement on January 2, requesting prayers for Fr. K’Okal’s soul and solace for his family. Known for his athleticism acquired during his time as a marathon runner in Kenya, the priest engaged in running, cycling, and extensive journeys around parishes as part of his evangelization work.
The Missionary Congregation described Fr. K’Okal as a missionary with a big smile, known for his commitment to the Warao Indians. Born on September 7, 1969, in Siaya, Kenya, he joined the Consolata Missionary Congregation in 1993, later studying theology in London and being ordained as a priest in 1997. He received Venezuelan nationality for his dedication and service to the country.
Despite Fr. K’Okal’s extraordinary commitment and missionary work, his sudden and mysterious death has left the community in shock. The exact cause of his death remains unknown, prompting community members to call for a thorough investigation and the arrest of anyone involved.
Father Josiah Asa K’Okal’s legacy of dedication and selfless service will be remembered by those he touched through his work, and his untimely death has sparked a demand for justice and answers in the tight-knit community.
