20091217

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenyan police said on Thursday they had arrested three people suspected of being behind the killing of an Irish Catholic priest who had been a missionary in the country for more than four decades.

Jeremiah Roche, a 68-year-old from west Limerick, was stabbed to death a week ago at his home on the outskirts of Kericho town, about 200 km (120 miles) west of Nairobi.

The burglars stole a laptop, his mobile phone and an unknown amount of money.

"The three suspects are assisting us with our investigation to know the motive of the murder and (we are) still pursuing other suspects," North West regional police commander Peterson Maelo, told Reuters by phone. "We have not managed to recover any of the stolen items."

Roche had worked in Kenya since 1968. His body was found by parishioners after he failed to appear for a 6 a.m. Mass.

Violent crime is a major problem in east Africa's biggest economy where armed robberies and car-jackings are common.