Father James King’ori, a Roman Catholic Priest with the Consolata Missionaries, passed away on Tuesday April 12, 2026, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick at the age of sixty-nine.
By Paolo Fredigoni *
Father James was born in Nanyuki, Laikipia Province, Kenya, on August 7, 1956. He was the son of Eusebio Mambo Muturi and Maria Njoki Mambo. He was raised in Timau, Kenya, and received his primary education there. O- level studies in St Pius X Seminary Nkubu, Meru. He joined the Consolata Missionaries at their Novitiate in Sagana (Kenya) and emitted his first religious vows on August 6, 1984. He did his theology at the St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Nairobi and was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest on July 30, 1988, in Timau, Kenya.
Following his ordination, Father James served faithfully in many parts of the world. He first worked as an assistant formator at the Consolata Philosophy Seminary in Langata (Kenya), then served as a Consolata missionary priest in Ethiopia from 1989 to 1992. He later ministered in Kenya from 1992 to 1994, in Vittorio Veneto, Italy, from 1994 to 1996, in Tanzania from 1996 to 2000, at the Consolata Missionary community in Buffalo, New York, from 2001 to 2016, and at the Consolata Missionary community in Somerset and North Brunswick, New Jersey, from 2016 until his passing.
In Buffalo, he assisted with daily Mass, the Catholic Parishes of Saints Peters and Paul, at Williamsville, Saint Pius X, at Getzville, and of Our Lady of Peace, at Clarence.
In New Jersey, Father James assisted the Catholic communities of St. Matthias in Somerset, St. Augustine of Canterbury in Kendall Park, and Our Lady of Peace in North Brunswick, where he faithfully celebrated Mass and the sacrament of reconciliation.
Here are some words of farewell to Father James, written by a pastor of one of the communities that he served, the reverend Jerome E. Kopec, Pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Parish, in Williamsville, NY, : “we sadly say farewell to a dear friend of Saints Peter and Paul Faith Community. Father James King’ori of the Consolata Missionaries who has been offering our daily 12:05 Mass for 15 years is leaving. Father James has been for us the dependable and reliable servant, always willing to assist us and to pray with us. A faithful priest for over 15 years, we have known his gentle and generous ways. We shall not forget him, and our prayers go with him in his last journey.”
Father James had a profound devotion to Saint Joseph Allamano, the Founder of the Consolata Missionaries. He entrusted himself to his intercession and to the one of his dear parents. At their example and inspiration, he offered the several hardships he encountered in his life with peacefulness to the One who called him to be His missionary.
Father James was predeceased by his parents Eusebio Mambo Muturi and Maria Njoki Mambo, and his late siblings Charles Muturi, Joseph Mwaniki, Richard Waweru, and Agatha Wanjiru. He is survived by his other siblings: Magdalen Maragi Ngigi, Paul Githinji, Agnes Wangui Wanjau, David Njogu, Gratiano Gatoto, Nicolas Gikonyo, and Stephen Mukono. He is also survived by their families in Kenya and in Wichita, Kansas, as well as by his brother priests, friends, and extended family.
Viewing will be held from 4PM to 7PM on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Our Lady of Peace Church, 1740 US Route 130, North Brunswick, NJ, followed by the celebration of the Eucharist at 7PM. The Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Our Lady of Peace Church in North Brunswick. Fr. James will then be brought to Buffalo, NY, and graveside services will be held at Acacia Park Cemetery in North Towanda, NY.
* Father Paolo Fredigoni, IMC, missionary in Canada.
