Priest shot dead in Kerio Valley ambush as six suspects arrested

Catholic priest Alloyce Cheruiyot Bett was shot dead on Thursday, in a deadly ambush in Tot, Kerio Valley, as he returned from a sermon in Kakbiken village.

The priest had just concluded a Jumuiya mass when unknown assailants opened fire, killing him instantly.

Witnesses said four bullets were fired. Three missed him and a companion, but one struck Father Bett in the neck, leading to his death on the spot.

The National Police Service said six suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting.

"General Service Unit officers responded swiftly and established that Father Bett was accosted and fatally shot by armed assailants. A manhunt was immediately launched, and six suspects have since been arrested and are currently in custody," read the statement.

The police called on members of the public with more information to come forward.

"NPS condemns this heinous act and is committed to conducting thorough and expeditious investigations to apprehend all those involved in the crime," the statement added.

There had been speculation that the killing was linked to the wider insecurity in the Kerio Valley, especially cattle rustling. But NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga dismissed the claim, saying the incident had no connection to banditry.

The killing forced Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich to cut short his activities in Sambirir Ward, where he had just launched the Kerio Valley Agricultural Training Centre in Kaptora.

He was expected to head to Sekon ECD Centre before receiving the news.

Father Bett is the second Catholic priest to be killed this week. Just days earlier, the body of Father John Maina was found by a motorcycle rider near Diatomite Stage along the Nakuru–Nairobi highway.

He had bruises on the left side of his head and said he had been abducted from Nyahururu.

Father Maina, who served at Igwamiti Parish, had recently hosted former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua before his death.

Meanwhile, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said the government is making progress in dealing with banditry.

In the first quarter of 2025, he said cases of stock theft dropped to 167 from 263 in the same period last year, and 4,935 animals were reported stolen compared to 8,557 in 2024.

He noted, however, that the fight against banditry still faces serious hurdles. These include illegal weapons, commercial livestock theft, political interference and incitement.