We Will Hunt Down His Killers, Ruto Says Of Murdered Catholic Priest Fr Bett

President William Ruto has vowed killers of Catholic priest Fr Allois Cheruiyot Bett will be arrested to face prosecution.

While condoling his death, Ruto said the priest was a tireless promoter of peace and a true faith leader whose sermons were genuine, clear and targeted.

“We will hunt down his killers as we commit to restore peace in the Kerio Valley,” he said.

He sent his condolences to the church, the faithful of St. Matthias Mulumba Tot Parish, Diocese of Eldoret, for the loss of Fr Bett.

“Fr. Allois was a tireless promoter of peace and a true faith leader whose sermons were genuine, clear and targeted.”

A gang shot and killed the priest on Thursday afternoon in Tot.

At least six suspects were arrested in an operation following the murder of Fr Bett in Tot, Kerio Valley, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

Fr Bett was shot and killed on Thursday afternoon in an ambush by gunmen.

National Police Service spokesperson Michael Muchiri said Fr Bett of St. Matthias Mulumba Tot Parish was shot and killed n Mokoro Location, Kakiptul Sub-Location, Kabartile Village.

General Service Unit officers responded swiftly and established that Fr 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.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the incident is not in any way related to cattle rustling or banditry,” he said.

He said police are conducting thorough

and expeditious investigations to apprehend all those involved in the crime.

Fr Bett, who had just concluded a Jumuiya (small Christian community) mass in Kakbiken village, was heading back to his base in Tot when he and a catechist were attacked.

Witnesses said the attackers sprayed bullets at the duo, killing the priest instantly.

Police said the attackers were criminals who targeted him because he is a non local.

Witnesses said they were ambushed by a group of armed youth who fired four bullets with one hitting him in the neck.

A security operation is underway in the area and Mulinge said it’s believed the gunmen suspected the priest to be someone spying on them.

The attack took place around 2:30 pm, just a kilometre from a local police station.

A joint team of police officers, National Police Reservists (NPR), and residents launched a manhunt for the assailants, sparking an exchange of gunfire in the area.

The killing left the local community in shock and mourning.

Tension remained high in the area as security agencies pursue the attackers.

The area is seen as stable and secure as compared to others in the area.

The area is under an operation dubbed Operation Maliza Uhalifu which targets gunmen and other criminals.

The other places where the operation is ongoing include West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu, Baringo, Isiolo, Marsabit and Meru. Dozens of guns have been recovered in the exercise.

Despite a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF)-led operation that has been ongoing for two years, fresh attacks continue to claim lives.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen who comes from the area was I briefed on the incident.

Police said they do not have any evidence to suggest the killing is linked to the one where another priest was last week killed in Kikopey area along Nakuru-Nairobi highway.

Police picked Fr John Maina Ndegwa from the roadside after he was found unconscious and with serious injuries.

Maina was the Father in charge of the Igwamiti Catholic Parish of Nyandarua.

According to police, he was found on the roadside in Kikopey, Gilgil, Nakuru, on Friday, May 16, over 50 kilometres from his workstation.

Police said they suspect he was injured elsewhere and his body was dumped at the site.

He was buried on Thursday May 22. The motive of the killing is yet to be known.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has since called on the general public to ignore speculation circulating online regarding the death of Father John Maina.

An autopsy was conducted on May 19, 2025, by Dr Ngulungu, a government pathologist.

“Preliminary findings revealed that the bruises observed on Fr Maina’s head were unlikely to be the cause of death. Consequently, samples were collected and sent for further toxicological analysis,” the DCI said.

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