President William Ruto has promised swift action to bring to justice those behind the killing of Catholic priest Fr Allois Bett, who was shot dead in Tot, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
The President, while mourning the priest, described him as a man of peace who had dedicated his life to promoting harmony in the troubled Kerio Valley region.
“Fr Allois was a tireless promoter of peace and a true faith leader whose sermons were genuine, clear, and impactful,” Ruto said in a message posted on his social media pages. “We will hunt down his killers as we commit to restoring peace in the Kerio Valley.”
The priest, attached to St. Matthias Mulumba Tot Parish under the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret, was killed on Thursday afternoon in an ambush by armed men.
According to National Police Service spokesperson Michael Muchiri, Fr Bett was shot in Mokoro Location, Kabartile Village, while travelling back from a church service.
“He had just concluded a small Christian community mass in Kakbiken village and was on his way back to Tot when the attackers struck,” Muchiri said.
Initial investigations show the priest and a catechist were ambushed by a group of armed youth who fired several bullets, one of which hit the priest in the neck, killing him on the spot. The catechist went missing and is believed to have escaped into the bushes.
Muchiri confirmed that six suspects had been arrested during a security operation launched immediately after the killing. He said the motive behind the attack does not appear to be related to cattle rustling or banditry.
“We are conducting thorough investigations to arrest all those involved in the brutal killing. The evidence so far indicates this was a targeted criminal attack,” Muchiri added.
Police say Fr Bett may have been targeted because he was seen as a non-local. Witnesses claim the gunmen suspected the priest of spying on them.
The attack happened just a kilometre from a police station, around 2:30 pm. Officers from the General Service Unit (GSU), National Police Reservists (NPR), and local residents responded quickly, triggering an exchange of gunfire as the hunt for the attackers intensified.
Tension remains high in the area following the incident, with locals in shock and mourning the loss of a respected church leader.
The region, though generally seen as more peaceful compared to other parts of the North Rift, falls under the ongoing Operation Maliza Uhalifu, a government crackdown on armed criminals in counties including West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Baringo, Isiolo, Marsabit, and Meru. Dozens of illegal firearms have been recovered under the operation.
Despite efforts by security forces, including a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF)-led mission that has lasted two years, fresh attacks continue to claim lives and cause fear in the region.
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