Bishop Dominic Kimengich (L) and auxilliary Bishop John Lelei carrying the body of father Allois Bett at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Eldoret on June 2, 2025./PHOTO: MATHEWS NDANYI
Catholic Bishop of Eldoret, Dominic Kimengich, has called on the government to urgently address the wave of violence in Kerio Valley, saying bandits have “crossed the red line” and must be stopped.
Speaking during a requiem mass for slain Catholic priest Father Allois Bett at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bishop Kimengich urged the government to take decisive action to end the senseless killings and restore security to the region.
“Time for empty talk is over. We demand action. We must stop the many extrajudicial killings in the country to prevent further loss of innocent lives,” Bishop Kimengich said.
Father Bett was shot dead two weeks ago by armed bandits as he returned from a Jumuiya mass in a village about two kilometers from his church, St Mulumba in Tot.
His murder has sparked widespread condemnation and heightened fear in Kerio Valley, an area already plagued by insecurity.
Bishop Kimengich emphasized that the security situation in Kerio Valley is deteriorating despite the government having the capacity to end the violence and protect residents.
“They have killed the children, the women, and now the priest. They have crossed all the red lines and must now be stopped,” he declared.
The requiem mass was attended by top government officials, including Senators Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu) and Samson Cherargei (Nandi), as well as Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea. Earlier, Father Bett’s body was moved from the MTRH morgue in Eldoret to the cathedral for the mass and public viewing.
According to the funeral programme, the body will be taken to Holy Family Ol Lessos Parish in Nandi County for a night vigil, followed by a public viewing and final funeral mass at St Michael’s Terige High School.
After the mass, the body will be escorted in a procession to Ol Lessos Parish Cemetery for burial.
Meanwhile, security operations are ongoing in Kerio Valley to track down Father Bett’s killers. Bishop Kimengich reiterated the church’s call for justice, demanding that those responsible be held accountable.
