The funeral service for the late Catholic priest Allois Cheruiyot Bett is currently underway at Terige High School in Nandi County, drawing thousands of mourners from across the country. Fr Bett was fatally shot two weeks ago by suspected bandits in the volatile Kerio Valley, a region plagued by persistent insecurity.
The somber event is being attended by several religious and political leaders, including Catholic bishops led by Bishop Dominic Kimengich, and top government officials. Among them are Governors Stephen Sang (Nandi) and Wisley Rotich (Elgeyo Marakwet), and Senators Jackson Mandago, Samson Cherargei, and William Kisang.
Fr Bett’s brutal killing occurred as he was returning from a Jumuiya (community) mass at a village just two kilometers from the church. The incident has been widely condemned and has sparked renewed calls for improved security in the Kerio Valley.
During a requiem mass held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Eldoret earlier this week, the priest’s family expressed their deep sorrow but also remarkable grace. Family spokesman Amos Samoei announced that they had chosen to forgive those who killed Fr Bett, hoping his spilled blood would inspire lasting peace in the troubled region.
“We have many questions about his death,” said Samoei, “but we believe in turning this pain into a message of unity and healing.” However, he questioned the apparent disparity in law enforcement’s response time, noting that suspects in a recent MP’s murder in Nairobi were apprehended within three days, while Fr Bett’s killers remain at large.
The killing has intensified fears in Kerio Valley, where insecurity has crippled services. Following the incident, the Catholic Church closed all its missionary operations in the region, including Chesongoch Mission Hospital. As a result, over 100 healthcare workers, including nurses and clinical officers, have withdrawn from the area, further straining community health services.
As mourners lay Fr Bett to rest, his death stands as a stark reminder of the deep-rooted insecurity in parts of the Rift Valley and the urgent need for government intervention to restore peace and protect lives.
