Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat Sunday assured all government officers, including teachers and doctors, as well as local residents in Kerio Valley that their safety is guaranteed.
He said all schools and key facilities in the Kerio Valley will be guarded by National Police Reserve officers.
He also gave the residents a three-day ultimatum to surrender those responsible for the killing of the Catholic priest, the late Fr. Alloys Cheruiyot, to the authorities.
On their part, the Catholic Church called on leaders and residents of the county to ensure that the bandits who committed the act are apprehended so that justice can be served.
This is according to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret, Dominic Kimengich.
Teachers’ leaders have called for boycott of schools over insecurity.
Speaking in Chesongoch, East Marakwet, during a peace meeting that brought together leaders, residents, and the police, the bishop expressed his sorrow over the killing of the priest, who had only served for less than six months.
Leaders who attended the event urged politicians not to politicise security matters.
Governors Stephen Sang and Wisley Rotich (Elgeyo-Marakwet) called on the government to intensify the fight against criminals.
Fr. Alloys Bett was killed on Thursday May 22 in Tot, Kerio Valley.
Lagat called on the communities in Kerio Valley subcounty and the wider region to fully cooperate with the security forces as they weed out criminals.
“We are going to be relentless in our efforts. Though we mourn those we lost, including Fr Bett, we are confident that we shall overcome. It’s darkest before dawn,” he said.
The government has, in the last two years, intensified operations against banditry.
As a result, many lives have been saved, livestock recovered, and incidences reduced by a significant margin.
In the last five months, banditry incidences have reduced by more than 50% compared to 2024, according to the latest data.
“As a matter of fact, the larger Kerio Valley region is pacified, save for a few areas. The relative success is because of the collective efforts of our security officers, supportive members of the public, and community leaders, including from the religious community, like Fr. Alloys Bett.”
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