Senators demand swift arrest of Fr Bett's killers in Kerio Valley

Senator for Nandi, Samson CherargeI, viewing the body of father Allois Bett in Eldoret/MATHEWS NDANYI

Three senators have urged the government to act swiftly and arrest the killers of Father Allois Bett, who was murdered in the troubled Kerio Valley region.

Senators Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), Samson Cherargei (Nandi), and William Kisang (Elgeyo Marakwet) said the government can apprehend the culprits promptly.

They spoke during a requiem mass for Father Bett at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Eldoret, where thousands of mourners turned up to view the body.

Kisang, whose county is where the killing took place, expressed regret over the incident and said the government must now take charge, as the community had failed to surrender the suspects as earlier promised.

“Our community had asked for time to produce the killers, but they have not. We now ask the government to take over and arrest those involved,” said Kisang.

He described Father Bett as a humble and hardworking priest who was committed to peacebuilding in the bandit-ravaged region and questioned why such a person would be targeted.

“He told us he wanted to work for peace for everyone. He even sought support to reach all the unreached areas. His loss is deeply regrettable,” Kisang added.

He said they had hoped the killers would be arrested before the burial, but remained optimistic that justice would still be served.

“As a community, we have already sent elders to speak with Bett’s family and seek forgiveness,” he noted.

Senator Cherargei condemned the killing, terming it a form of domestic terrorism, and called for the region to be classified as a disturbed area so that criminals can be disarmed.

“We are asking ourselves: why was Bett killed so brutally, and who did it? Why murder such an innocent man of God?” asked Cherargei.

He urged the Catholic Church not to abandon the region but to continue supporting the local community.

Senator Mandago also condemned the killing and appealed to the residents of Kerio Valley to assist security agencies in identifying the perpetrators.

He called for a meeting between church leaders and local officials to chart a way forward following the tragedy.

“Residents of Kerio Valley know the killers and must reveal them to security agencies,” said Mandago.

During the mass, the family of the slain Catholic priest said they had forgiven those who killed him, hoping that his blood would bring lasting peace to the region.

His mother, Eunice Bender, led family members at the requiem mass but did not address the congregation.

The service was presided over by Bishop Dominic Kimengich.

Family spokesperson Amos Samoei said the decision to forgive was made to allow a smooth send-off for Father Bett, who will be laid to rest in Nandi County on Tuesday.

However, the family expressed disappointment over the delay in arresting the killers.

Samoei said the family still had many unanswered questions but had decided, two days earlier, to forgive the perpetrators and pray that Bett’s blood, shed in Kerio Valley, would bless the region with peace and unity.

He questioned the disparity in response times by security agencies, noting that it took only three days to arrest the killers of an MP in Nairobi, yet no arrests had been made in Bett’s case.

“They used CCTV and every resource available to arrest the MP's killers. Why not use the same urgency to get these people?” Samoei posed.

He noted that the family, especially the mother, was deeply hurt but still demanded justice.

Samoei also appealed to the Marakwet community to send elders to meet with Bett’s family for lasting reconciliation.

Earlier, Bishop Kimengich said bandits in Kerio Valley had "crossed the red line" and called on the government to act decisively to stop the senseless killings in the region.

He also called on the security system to end extrajudicial killings in the country.

“Time for empty talk is over, we demand action. We must stop these killings so that we don't continue losing lives senselessly,” said Bishop Kimengich.

“They have killed children, women, and now a priest. They have crossed all red lines and must be stopped."

The bishop expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in Kerio Valley and urged the government to use its resources to protect residents.

The service was attended by Senators Mandago, Cherargei, and Kisang, along with Nandi Deputy Governor Dr. Yulita Cheruiyot.