Key suspect in catholic father murder has been arrested as Missionary Sisters Close Down Kerio Valley Station
Josphat Kebut
Police in Kerio Valley have arrested a key suspect linked to the brutal killing of Catholic priest Fr. Allois Cheruiyot Bett.
The suspect, who had reportedly been on the run, was cornered by irate residents at Tot Subcounty Hospital, where he had sought refuge. Locals, alongside police reservists, flushed him out and handed him over to a Special Operations Group (SOG) deployed to track down the priest’s killers.
Elgeyo Marakwet County Police Commander Peter Mulinge confirmed the arrest and stated that the operation to apprehend more suspects is still ongoing.
Fr. Bett, the parish priest of St. Mathias Mulumba in TOT Parish, was ambushed and shot dead in Mokoro Location, Kakiptul Sub-Location.
In a statement, Auxiliary Bishop Eldoret Diocese Rt. Rev. John Lelei announced that the funeral has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Holy Family Parish Church in Olessos, Nandi County.
Meanwhile, Sr. Rosa Pascal OSB, Prioress of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters, has announced the indefinite closure of their mission stations in Chesongoch, citing safety concerns.
“Following the recent happenings in Kerio Valley where Fr. Alloys Bett, Parish priest of St. Mathias Mulumba, TOT parish, was murdered,” Sr. Rosa said in a statement, “unrest has continued being experienced in the area. This has affected our missionary work.”
She outlined the toll the insecurity has taken:
• “High tension of insecurity causing mental, emotional and psychological trauma to our sisters.”
• “Inability to run the essential services due to lack of staff who are fleeing the area.”
She continued: “We have therefore arrived at a decision with immediate effect, (30/05/2025) to close our mission stations indefinitely until the area is safe for service.”
The closure is not just a safety measure, but a statement. Sr. Rosa emphasized the move is meant to:
• “Ensure the safety of our sisters working in the region, our employees and those who visit our mission for different services.”
• “Press the government for a lasting solution to peace in the area including disarming the civilians.”
• “Remind the people of Kerio Valley the relevance of our presence to the community. If the community does not consider our mission as essential to them then there is no need of our presence.”
As police continue to pursue justice for Fr. Bett, the community of Kerio Valley is left to confront the deep wounds left by violence, and the growing void in both spiritual and medical support as mission work is brought to a halt.
