Catholic priest murder case shaken by mysterious deaths of suspects

Two men allegedly connected to the murder of Catholic priest Father Allois Cheruiyot Bett were found dead under suspicious circumstances in Nakuru County.

Their bodies were discovered abandoned along the Mogotio-Kiptuno road, sparking alarm among local residents and church leaders.

The bodies have been confirmed by their families as Simon Yego and Collins Kipyatich, both from Elgeyo Marakwet.

The two men went missing on Friday, March 30, and their families believe their deaths are linked to the murder of Father Bett.

At the Nakuru Annex mortuary, the families recounted how the two men, who were from the same village, were abducted in broad daylight just hours apart.

Collins was reportedly the first to be taken, picked up by an ambulance at Tot Health Centre in Elgeyo Marakwet while attending a routine checkup.

Around 5:30 p.m., while trying to make a final drop-off at Tot Health Centre before curfew, Simon’s probox was blocked by an ambulance near Tot Primary School.

"He was on malaria medication when armed men forced him out of the vehicle and into the ambulance," said Wilfred Yego, Simon’s brother.

Simon was carrying a female passenger when the suspected abduction occurred. Reports indicate that one of the abductors took over Simon’s vehicle and followed behind the ambulance.

"At the border of Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet, they dropped off the passenger and instructed her to take a KDF vehicle back to Tot Centre," Wilfred explained.

Meanwhile, Simon’s brother, believed to be a police officer, was interrogating the passenger.

"The woman was questioned about whether she knew the killers of the priest. She replied, 'No, I was already married, but I left my marital home to visit my family,''' Wilfred said.

The two men were reported missing the following day at Tot Police Station by their families.

Tragically, their mutilated bodies were later found in Sawin village, Rungai sub-county, over 200 kilometers from where they were abducted.

"His hand was severed, and it appears they were strangled. There are clear signs of beating on their backs, stomachs, and hands, and it looks like their legs were tied with rope," Wilfred added.

Yego had ventured into the transport business about a year ago after losing his livestock to bandit attacks.

His brother described him as a peace advocate, a businessman, and a committed church member.

Wilfred noted that Yego had long been targeted and suffered greatly due to insecurity. "Last year, all his sheep were killed, and to make matters worse, his son was shot and spent over three months in the ICU," he said.

The family believes this latest incident amounts to another extrajudicial killing.

"We urge the government that if someone is accused of wrongdoing, they should be taken to court. Does killing people bring justice?" Simon’s sister, Mercy Kibor, questioned.

Deputy Police Inspector Eliud Lagat promised a crackdown on Probox drivers following residents’ demands for justice.

"I’ve heard your concerns. Hand over those responsible for Father’s killing, and I will review the Probox list. We expect to identify those involved, and Thursday won’t be business as usual," Lagat warned.

Meanwhile, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan dismissed the family’s claims linking the deaths to Father Bett’s murder, saying an investigation is already in progress.