Chesongoch Mission Hospital that has been shut down in Kerio Valley
Over 100 health workers have withdrawn from the Kerio Valley after the Catholic Church shut down its missionary operations, including Chesongoch Mission Hospital, due to worsening insecurity.
The hospital, which employs most of the health workers, is the main health facility in the region, serving thousands of residents.
Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wesley Rotich regretted the turn of events in the region, saying everything possible was being done to restore security.
“We are working with the national government to ensure we restore peace and security in the region as soon as possible so that we can resume normal operations,” Rotich said.
The Missionary Benedictine Sisters issued an official notice on its decision to shut down the Kerio Valley mission due to insecurity.
They said, following the killing of Fr Allois Bett by suspected bandits, there had been continued unrest affecting their missionary work.
“There has been high tension over insecurity, causing mental, emotional, and psychological trauma to our sisters,” the statement said.
The mission was unable to run essential services due to a lack of staff who were fleeing the area.
“We have therefore arrived at the decision with immediate effect to close our mission stations indefinitely until the area is safe for service,” said the statement signed by Sr Rosa Pascal, who is the head of the mission.
She said the closure was meant to ensure the safety of sisters working in the region, employees and those who visit the mission stations for various reasons.
“It's also meant to press the government for a lasting solution to peace in the area, including disarming civilians,” Sr Pascal said.
She said the move was meant to remind the people of Kerio Valley about the relevance of the mission to the community.
“If the community does not consider our mission as essential to them, then there is no need for our presence.”
Fr Bett served at St Mulumba parish near Tot. He was returning from a community mass when he was ambushed and shot dead.
The murder sparked fear amid reports that bandits were targeting non-locals.
Fr Bett will be buried on Tuesday at Ol Lessos parish in Nandi county.
Top government officials and those from various churches are expected to attend the funeral service.
