The Catholic Church and local leaders have called for justice and lasting peace in Kerio Valley following the tragic killing of Father Allois Cheruiyot Bett. The slain priest, who served at St Matthias Mulumba Tot Parish, will be laid to rest on Friday, May 30. The final burial site will be announced by the Church after consultations with his family.
Father Bett was ambushed and fatally shot by unknown assailants in Kabartile Village, Elgeyo Marakwet County, last week. According to the National Police Service (NPS), the attackers fled the scene immediately after the incident. Six suspects have since been arrested in connection with the killing, though authorities have ruled out links to cattle rustling or the recurrent banditry that has long plagued the North Rift region.
During a solemn requiem mass held at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Eldoret, Bishop Dominic Kimengich of the Eldoret Catholic Diocese condemned the senseless killing. He described Father Bett’s death as a tragic loss but also a possible turning point for the region. “His death shall not be in vain. Perhaps his sacrifice will spark a new chapter of peace in Kerio Valley,” Bishop Kimengich stated. He lamented the moral decay in society, where life and the rule of law are increasingly disregarded.
Bishop Kimengich also urged the government to act decisively to restore order in the troubled region. “Leaving perpetrators scot-free amounts to promotion of impunity in the country,” he warned.
Echoing these sentiments, Nandi Governor Stephen Sang criticized the long-standing neglect of the Kerio Valley by successive administrations. He emphasized the urgent need for government intervention to curb insecurity and restore peace and development in the area.
Father Bett’s killing has drawn national attention and renewed the spotlight on the insecurity in the North Rift. As the community prepares to bid farewell to the beloved cleric, calls for justice, peace, and stronger government action are growing louder. His death, though deeply painful, may yet inspire meaningful change in a region long gripped by violence.
