The Catholic Diocese of Eldoret is in mourning following the brutal killing of Fr. Allois Cheruiyot Bett, a Catholic priest whose death has sent shockwaves throughout the church and the broader Kerio Valley community. Speaking during a requiem mass held in Nerkwo, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Bishop Dominic Kimengich made a passionate appeal to the government to ensure justice is served.
“Justice must be done,” the bishop declared before a solemn gathering of hundreds of mourners, including clergy, faithful, and community leaders. Bishop Kimengich condemned the incident, calling it a tragic wake-up call to the growing insecurity that continues to plague the Kerio Valley region.
“Maybe it has taken the life of Fr. Allois for us to seriously address the issue of peace in Kerio Valley. This is a wake-up call for all of us,” he stated.
Bishop Kimengich, who has served in conflict-prone areas for years, expressed deep concern that such a heinous crime could happen to a member of the clergy. “I have worked in different regions with conflicts, but never has a priest been killed. Truly, this is something we need to think about,” he noted.
The bishop further warned that the killing has instilled fear among the clergy, potentially discouraging priests from serving in high-risk areas. “Right now, chances are no priest wants to go to the region because they don’t feel safe. That is the ripple effect of this incident,” he said, urging the government to take urgent action to restore safety.
He appealed to national and county leaders to prioritize security and ensure that such acts of violence do not go unpunished. In his closing remarks, Bishop Kimengich urged Kenyans to come together in grief and faith.
“Let us stand together in prayer and solidarity with the family and friends of Fr. Allois Bett. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may justice prevail,” he said.
The killing of Fr. Allois has reignited calls for lasting peace and security interventions in the volatile Kerio Valley, where communities continue to suffer from persistent violence.
