Two men suspected to have links to the murder of Catholic priest Father Allois Cheruiyot Bett have been found dead under mysterious circumstances in Nakuru County, sparking public outcry and concern from the clergy.
The bodies of Simon Yego and Collins Kipyatich, both from Elgeyo Marakwet, were discovered dumped along the Mogotio-Kiptuno road, over 200 kilometers from where they were last seen.
The families of the two have confirmed the identities of the deceased and strongly believe their deaths are connected to the killing of Father Bett. The two had been missing since Friday, March 30.
Also Read
Broad Daylight Abductions
Relatives recounted that Collins was the first to disappear after he was picked up by an ambulance while at Tot Health Centre for a routine medical check-up.
Hours later, Simon Yego was intercepted in broad daylight while transporting a female passenger near Tot Primary School. According to his brother Wilfred Yego, an ambulance blocked the probox Simon was driving, and armed men forced him into the ambulance.
“One of the abductors even took over the vehicle and drove behind the ambulance,” Wilfred said, adding that the female passenger was later dropped at the Baringo-Elgeyo Marakwet border and told to board a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) vehicle back to Tot Centre.
Passenger Interrogated
The passenger told the abductors that she was unaware of the priest’s killers and had only been visiting her family. It is believed that a police officer, reportedly Simon’s brother, interrogated her at the scene.
The families filed missing person reports at Tot Police Station the following day. However, the search ended in tragedy when the mutilated bodies of the two were found in Sawin village, Rongai sub-county, Nakuru.
“His hand was chopped off. They had marks on the back, stomach, and hands. Their legs were tied with a rope. It looked like they were strangled and beaten severely,” Wilfred recounted.
A Life Marked by Insecurity
Wilfred described Simon as a devout Christian, a businessman, and a peace advocate who turned to the transport business after losing all his livestock to bandit attacks.
“Last year, all his sheep were killed. His son was also shot and spent over three months in the ICU,” he said.
The family now believes the two were victims of extrajudicial killings. “If someone is guilty, take them to court. Will killing them lead to justice?” posed Simon’s sister, Mercy Kibor.
Police Response and Crackdown
Deputy Police Inspector Eliud Lagat, responding to the residents’ outcry, warned of an impending crackdown on probox vehicles often used in transport in the region.
“I’ve heard your cries. Give me those behind the priest’s murder and I’ll look into the probox list. Thursday will not be business as usual,” Lagat declared.
However, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan dismissed the family’s claims connecting the deaths to Father Bett’s murder, insisting that investigations are ongoing.
Father Allois Cheruiyot Bett’s murder has left a dark cloud over the region, and the death of the two men now raises further questions about justice and the conduct of security operations in the area.