ELGEYO MARAKWET, Kenya – Six suspects have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Catholic priest Rev. Father Allois Cheruiyot Bett, the National Police Service (NPS) has confirmed.
Father Bett, who served at St. Matthias Mulumba Tot Parish, was gunned down on Tuesday morning in Kabartile Village, located in the restive Mokoro area of Elgeyo Marakwet County.
His killing initially sparked fears of renewed banditry in the region, but police now say the motive may be unrelated to cattle rustling or intercommunal violence.
“The incident is not in any way related to cattle rustling or banditry,” NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said in a statement issued Thursday. “A swift response by General Service Unit (GSU) officers led to the arrest of six suspects, who are currently in custody.”
Authorities have launched a full investigation into the motive behind the attack, which occurred in an area that has experienced chronic insecurity in recent years.
The NPS has pledged to pursue all leads and bring those responsible to justice.
“We condemn this heinous act in the strongest terms and remain committed to conducting a thorough and expeditious investigation,” the statement read.
PRESS STATEMENT : SHOOTING INCIDENT INVOLVING FATHER ALLOIS BETT
Father Bett was well known in the region for his commitment to pastoral work and peacebuilding.
His death has sent shockwaves through the local Catholic community and beyond, with the Eldoret Diocese describing him as “a devoted servant of God” and “a pillar of hope.”
The killing comes amid heightened security operations across the North Rift, where the government has been conducting Operation Maliza Uhalifu to quell persistent violence.
However, the police’s latest statement distances this particular attack from the broader banditry problem, raising new questions about motive and local conflict dynamics.
The NPS has appealed for calm and urged the public to share any information that could assist with investigations, promising confidentiality for all tips submitted via their toll-free hotlines.
