The Catholic Church has unveiled funeral arrangements for Father Allois Bett, the priest tragically killed by armed bandits in Tot, Kerio Valley, two weeks ago. His death has sparked national outrage and intensified calls for security intervention in the volatile region.
Father Bett’s requiem mass and public body viewing will take place on Monday at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Eldoret. The body will then be transported to Holy Family Ol Lessos Parish in Nandi County for an overnight vigil.
On Tuesday, mourners will gather at St Michael’s Terige High School for a final public viewing and funeral mass, after which Father Bett will be laid to rest at the Ol Lessos Parish cemetery. Bishop Dominic Kimengich of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret will lead the proceedings, with top clergy and government officials expected to attend.
Father Bett was serving at St Mulumba Church in Tot when he was ambushed and fatally shot by bandits approximately two kilometers from the church while returning from a Jumuiya (community) mass. His murder has not only shocked the nation but also prompted the closure of Catholic missionary operations in Kerio Valley due to escalating insecurity.
The Missionary Benedictine Sisters, who run the Chesongoch Mission Hospital—formerly the region’s main healthcare facility—have withdrawn over 100 health workers, citing threats to their safety. The hospital’s closure has left thousands without medical services.
“We have decided to close our mission stations indefinitely until the area is safe,” said Sister Rosa Pascal, head of the mission. She emphasized that the decision, though painful, is necessary to protect staff and press the government for a lasting security solution, including disarming civilians.
Governor Wisley Rotich of Elgeyo Marakwet expressed sorrow over the situation and assured residents that the national government is working to restore peace. Meanwhile, Bishop Kimengich has demanded justice for Father Bett, stressing that the killers must be held accountable under the law.
The Church’s response underscores the urgency of restoring order in Kerio Valley, where faith-based institutions have long played a vital role in community development and healthcare.
