A somber mood has engulfed Sengera area in Kisii, the home village of Father Cosmas Ondari Thursday who was killed by suspected Cameroon soldiers on Wednesday evening.

Family members and relatives of the slain priest said they received news of his death with utmost shock.

Fr Omboto was holding an evening church mass when a soldier shot him in the head killing him on the spot. Report reveals.

The country has been experiencing a surge in conflicts in volatile English-speaking Southwest region where a group is vouching for separation from Yaoundé.

Family members of the deceased on Friday condemned the incident terming it uncalled for.

His father Charles Omboto said his son was on a missionary mission when he was killed.

"The news we have is that he was holding a mass but the congregants upon seeing the soldiers scampered leaving him alone and that is the time he was shot dead," Mr Omboto said.

His body was discovered by a group of worshippers who had returned to the church compound shortly after the soldiers left.

SPIRITUAL

"He had remained alone because he had not known that people there always run away when they see the military and that is how he got killed," Mr Omboto told the Nation at his Sengera home in Bomachoge Borabu.

Relatives and church members on Thursday flocked to the home to offer condolences.

Most parishioners described the late cleric as "very spiritual" and a man fired by the missionary spirit.

"He grew amongst us and was concerned with spiritual things and that is how he ended up in serving the church as a missionary," said Sister Mary Naitumbi.

Family members said they may not be able to travel to bury the body in Cameroon and requested the Mill Hill Society to make arrangements so that the body can be brought to Kenya.

"We are not compelling them but if they can bring him back home, it will be better for us," Mr Omboto said.