A wave of grief swept through the Catholic Church and local communities following the fatal shooting of Father Alloyce Cheruiyot Bett, a respected priest who was ambushed by gunmen on Thursday evening in Tot area, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Father Bett had just concluded a Jumuiya (small Christian community) mass at Kakbiken village and was on his way back to his base when unknown assailants opened fire on him.
Witnesses say four bullets were discharged—three missed both the priest and his companion, but one struck Father Bett in the neck, killing him on the spot.
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The National Police Service (NPS) confirmed the incident, stating that six suspects had already been arrested and were aiding in investigations.
“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 a statement from NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga.
The NPS condemned the “heinous act” and assured the public of a thorough investigation. While early reports speculated that the killing could be related to banditry—an ongoing issue in the region—Nyaga clarified that the attack was not linked to cattle rustling or any known bandit activity.
Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich was forced to cut short official duties in Sambirir Ward upon learning of the tragic news.
Rotich had earlier presided over the establishment of the Kerio Valley Agricultural Training Centre in Kaptora and was en route to Sekon ECD Centre before receiving word of the shooting.
This is the second killing of a Catholic priest within a week. Just days earlier, Father John Maina of Igwamiti Parish in Nyahururu was found dead along the Nakuru–Nairobi highway after allegedly being abducted from Nyahururu.
His body, bearing head bruises, was discovered by a Good Samaritan motorcycle rider.
The back-to-back killings have rattled the religious community and renewed public concern over security in various parts of the country.
Meanwhile, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen recently outlined progress in the ongoing war against banditry in the North Rift.
While the number of stock theft cases declined from 263 in early 2024 to 167 in the first quarter of 2025, challenges persist. These include the proliferation of illegal firearms, commercialization of stolen livestock, and political interference.
As investigations into Father Bett’s killing continue, the Catholic Church, security agencies, and local leaders have called for calm, unity, and swift justice.