Senators demand commission to probe rising killings of catholic priests

Senators have called for a commission of inquiry to investigate the increasing cases of Catholic priests being killed, highlighting decades of unsolved murders and public concern over slow government action.

The call follows the brutal killing of Fr Allois Bett from St Matthias Lumumba Catholic Church in Tot Parish, Elgeyo Marakwet County, who was shot dead on May 22 after leading a small Mass in Kabien Village.

Lawmakers say Fr Bett’s murder adds to a troubling pattern of violence targeting clergy that dates back to the early 2000s.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale urged the formation of an independent commission, saying, “It cannot be by chance that whenever priests are murdered, a theory is thrown around in the media that they have committed suicide. As a Catholic who was born and bred in a Catholic family, I demand that there be an inquiry.”

He listed several priests who have been killed over the years, noting that most cases remain unsolved except for the 2005 killing of Bishop Luigi Locati, where a suspect was convicted.

Senate Majority Whip Edwin Sifuna described the silence from authorities as deeply troubling, pointing to the recent death of Fr John Ndegwa Maina, who was found with multiple gunshot wounds days before Fr Bett’s killing.

“The most distressing aspect is that no arrests have been made. The public is keenly observing how security forces handle individual cases,” he said.

He added that investigations seem to move faster when high-profile individuals are involved but remain slow for clergy and ordinary citizens.

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot said locals have identified a suspect known as Cheptarus but expressed concern over the lack of arrests.

“It is well known that the individual responsible for Father Allois’s murder is a criminal named Cheptarus. Locals have spoken, stating they know who committed this crime,” he said.

He also called on the government to declare Kerio Valley a disturbed zone and deploy specialized security forces to protect residents. “It is not right that we live in a country where some people cannot sleep peacefully in their homes and children are unable to attend school,” Cheruiyot added.

The Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations, led by Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo, has been tasked with investigating Fr Bett’s death, focusing on the motive and the status of ongoing probes.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei criticized the government’s handling of insecurity in the North Rift region, blaming slow police and military responses for the rise in violence in areas including Baringo, Turkana, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, and Samburu.

He questioned why no arrests had been made despite claims of ongoing operations against bandits. “Fr Bett was unarmed and with others during the attack, yet only he was targeted and killed,” Cherargei said.

Fr Bett’s body was taken from Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret to the Sacred Heart Cathedral for a public viewing and requiem mass, presided over by Bishop Dominic Kimengich of Eldoret Diocese. Bishop Kimengich described the killing as a great loss and called for justice.

“It is a big loss to the Church and the community. We continue to demand justice for him. His killers must be brought to account,” he said.

The funeral programme includes a night vigil at Holy Family Ol Lessos Parish in Nandi County, public viewing at St Michael’s Terige High School, and a final funeral mass before burial at Ol Lessos Parish cemetery.

The funeral is expected to draw top government officials, senior clergy, and mourners from across the country. Fr Bett had been serving at St Mulumba Church in Tot, a region troubled by insecurity, at the time of his death.