Body of slain catholic priest moved to Nandi ahead of burial

The body of slain Catholic priest Father Allois Cheruiyot Bett has been moved to Nandi County ahead of his burial on Tuesday, June 3.

The body was later escorted by police to Holy Family Ol'Lessos Parish in Nandi County for a night vigil ahead of the burial.

Family members and residents, led by Governor Stephen Sang, gathered in the area as crowds turned up to receive the body.

“We are here to join the church and family to receive the body of Father Bett and also support them during this difficult time,” said Governor Sang.

Senator Kisang, in whose region the killing took place, said the local community had earlier promised to hand over the suspects but failed to do so.

“Our community had asked for some 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 peace in the bandit-ravaged region.

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

Senator Cherargei termed the killing as an act of domestic terrorism and demanded that the region be declared a disturbed area so that criminals can be disarmed.

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

He urged the Catholic Church to continue supporting the community rather than withdrawing.

Senator Mandago also condemned the murder and called on the Kerio Valley community to assist security agencies in identifying and arresting the killers.

He proposed a meeting between church leaders and local leadership to chart the way forward following the killing.

Mandago insisted that Kerio Valley residents know the killers and must reveal them to authorities.

During the mass, the family of Father Bett said they had forgiven those responsible for his death and hoped that his blood would bring lasting peace to the region.

His mother, Eunice Bender, led the family during the requiem mass but did not speak. Bishop Dominic Kimengich led the mass.

Family spokesperson Amos Samoei said the family had chosen to forgive the killers to ensure a peaceful send-off for Father Bett, who will be buried in Nandi County.

However, the family expressed disappointment at the delay in arrests.

Samoei questioned why security agencies had taken just 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 tool available to get the killers of the MP. Why not use the same urgency to get these people?” he asked.

He added that the family, especially Bett’s mother, was deeply hurt but still demanded justice.

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

Bishop Dominic Kimengich earlier condemned the continued banditry in Kerio Valley, saying the criminals had crossed the red line. He called on the government to act decisively to stop the killings.

“The time for empty talk is over. We demand action. We must stop the extrajudicial killings in this country to prevent further loss of life,” said the bishop.

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

Bishop Kimengich expressed concern that the security situation in Kerio Valley was worsening, despite the government's capacity to protect residents.

Earlier, the priest’s body was removed from the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) morgue and taken to Sacred Heart Cathedral for mass and public viewing.

The body was escorted in a procession by priests and Catholic faithful to the church, where Bishop Kimengich presided over a three to four-hour mass.

The funeral programme indicates that the body would then be taken to Holy Family Ol'Lessos Parish in Nandi County for a night vigil ahead of Tuesday’s burial.

On June 3, the body will be moved to St. Michael’s Terige High School for public viewing and a final funeral mass.

After the mass, the body will be escorted in a procession to the cemetery at Ol'Lessos Parish, where Father Bett will be laid to rest.

Top government officials and members of the clergy are expected to attend.

Father Bett’s murder has sparked widespread condemnation and heightened tension in Kerio Valley, where a security operation is currently underway to apprehend the killers.