NANDI, Kenya – Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has condoled with the family of the slain Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Alloys Cheruiyot Bett, in their home in Cheplasgei Village, Kilibwoni Division, Nandi County.
Already, six suspects are in police custody in connection with the murder of the cleric by armed assailants in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
“We continue to express our deepest condolences to his parents, Eunice and Joseph Binder, his siblings, friends, the church, the faithful of St. Matthias Mulumba Tot Parish, and the entire Diocese of Eldoret for this painful and profoundly sad loss,” said CS Murkomen.
The CS described the late Fr. Alloys as a deeply committed and energetic servant of God who went beyond the call of pastoral duty to foster peace and harmony in the community he faithfully served and loved very much.
“His killing is a big blow and comes at a time when the larger Kerio Valley is pacified following intensified security operations against banditry in the past two years. Save for a few trouble spots, peace has returned to the valley. Incidents of banditry, for example, have reduced by 50% this year compared to 2024,” explained CS Murkomen.
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CS Murkomen attributed this to the collective efforts of security officers, supportive members of the public, community leaders, and the religious community, like Fr. Alloys.
“Following the intense crackdown on banditry and cattle rustling resulting in numerous arrests, the bandits have retreated to the community, where they carry out other criminal activities. Lately, they have resorted to acts of terror to instill fear in the community, security personnel, and peace actors in the hope that the government will scale down the operation,” added the CS.
According to the CS, the recent killings of civilians Bonface Ongote, Simon Njaga, and now Fr. Alloys Bett reflect the change of tactic by the besieged criminals.
“The government will however not relent in its effort to root out banditry and all acts of criminality in the Kerio Valley region. We mourn those whom we have lost to these senseless acts, but we are confident that our efforts will lead to lasting peace,” CS Murkomen further said.
He also called on the people of Kerio Valley Sub-County to continue cooperating with the security personnel as the government steps up its efforts to eliminate this threat.
“We will make sure that we hand the harshest punishment to the perpetrators of these heinous acts. Rest in peace, Father Alloys,” he said.
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The CS was accompanied by, among others, Nandi County Governor Stephen Sang, Emgwen MP Josses Lelmengit, DIG-KPS Eliud Lagat, area MCA Geoffrey Chemalan, and Nandi Central Sub-County DCC Jillet Jillo.
Following the brutal murder of the Catholic priest, CS Murkomen came under sharp criticism from members of the public.
General Collins Chepkuley, the man who recently hit the headlines after setting up his own police station in Uasin Gishu County, shot the first salvo, lashing out at the government for what he described as failing to protect the lives of Kenyans.
“They started with kids and women. Don’t talk of innocent men. Who are these bandits? Is this not terrorism? If I may ask the Kenyan government. What are guns doing in the hands of civilians?” posed General Chepkuley.
He put Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on the spot for failing to address the runaway insecurity in parts of Kerio Valley.
“Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen, don’t you think we need the military to restore peace once and for all? Why are you killing yourselves, dear Kalenjin? Why a Catholic father? Which mistake did he commit?” he added.
How Senator Cherargei confronted CS Murkomen over insecurity
Chepkuley also urged President Ruto to take decisive action in combating insecurity in parts of the North Rift region.
“Please, Mr. President, stop them before they do something bigger. God won’t forgive this country if justice won’t be served for this man. Do you mean the local administration doesn’t know these plans and executions? Fellow Kenyans, I am heartbroken; we are at a very bad place,” he added.
While also mourning the fallen priest, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei hit out at CS Murkomen, saying:
CS Interior Murkomen should be reminded that charity begins at home. A few years ago, he was complaining about insecurity at his home Kerio Valley belt, but now he is in charge of security, but our people continue to be slaughtered like goats because he is just incorrigible, incompetent, and lazy,” Senator Cherargei lamented.
Senator Cherargei also claimed that out of frustration and panic, the CS directed the National Police Service (NPS) to indicate that the slain Catholic priest’s murder was not related to banditry.
“The opposite is true. We shall not allow him to malign the priest in death. For the last three days, the area has been a playground for criminals of banditry, and Kenyans have been killed. Kazi imemshinda Kapisa. Blessed day,” Cherargei wrote on his official X account.
