Interior CS Murkomen vows relentless manhunt after Catholic Priest's killing in Kerio Valley
Murkomen said bandits have in recent days resorted to killing innocent civilians after cattle rustling was contained in the region.
The killing of Father Alloys Cheruiyot Bett on Thursday in Tot, Kerio Valley, signals a shift in criminal activity in the North Region, this is according to Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, who has now ordered a fresh manhunt of bandits along the entire region.
Speaking after visiting the late priest's home in Cheplasgei Village, Kilibwoni Division, Nandi County, Murkomen said bandits have in recent days resorted to killing innocent civilians after cattle rustling was contained in the region.
More To Read
This, he said, was being done as a form of intimidation and in the hope that there would be a de-escalation to the ongoing Operation Maliza Uhalifu.
Father Bett died on Thursday in a targeted shooting in Tot by assailants who allegedly ambushed him as he walked to a prayer service venue along the escarpment.
The incident shocked the country. He was the second catholic priest to die in the hands of criminals in the country.
"The attack on Fr. Bett must be understood from the context of his peace efforts and his evangelism against banditry. But we will not surrender; instead, our security men and women will double their efforts," the CS assured.
He added that the recent killings of Bonface Ongote, Simon Njaga, and now Father Bett are a stark reminder that bandits have resorted to acts of terrorism away from livestock theft, targeting security officials, community and peace actors.
The incident happened even as police continue to intensify the crackdown against bandits in Kerio Valley subcounty.
"As a result of these efforts and frustrated by the inability to carry out livestock raids, the bandits have resorted to terrorist activities where they kill innocent civilians inside the community away from cattle rustling," said Murkomen.
He called on the people of Kerio Valley Sub-County to continue cooperating with the security personnel as "we step up our efforts to eliminate this threat."
"We will also make sure that we hand the harshest punishment to the perpetrators of these heinous acts," he vowed.
The CS condoled with Father Bett's parents, Eunice and Joseph Binder, his siblings, friends, the Church, the faithful of St. Matthias Mulumba Tot Parish and the entire Diocese of Eldoret for this painful and profoundly sad loss.
"Father Alloys was a deeply committed and energetic servant of God who went beyond the call of pastoral duty to foster peace and harmony in the community he faithfully served and loved very much," he said.
The priest's death is a big blow to the area as it comes at a time when the larger Kerio Valley is pacified following intensified security operations against banditry in the past two years.
"Save for a few trouble spots, peace has returned to the Valley. Incidents of banditry, for example, have reduced by 50 per cent this year compared to 2024. As a matter of fact, the larger Kerio Valley region is pacified, save for a few areas. The relative success is because of the collective efforts of our security officers, supportive members of the public, and community leaders, including from the religious community, like Fr. Alloys Bett," Murkomen said.
He called for the communities in Kerio Valley subcounty and the wider region to fully cooperate with the security forces as they weed out criminals.
"We are going to be relentless in our efforts. Though we mourn those we lost, including Fr Bett, we are confident that we shall overcome. It's darkest before dawn," he said.
He was accompanied by the Nandi County Governor Stephen Sang, Emgwen MP Josses Lelmengit, DIG-KPS Eliud Lagat, area MCA Geoffrey Chemalan, Nandi Central Sub-County DCC Jillet Jillo, among other leaders.
Top Stories Today
