Key suspect in murder of Catholic priest Allois Bett arrested

Police in Kerio Valley have arrested one of the prime suspects involved in the murder of Catholic priest Fr Allois Cheruiyot Bett.

The man was cornered by residents at Tot subcounty hospital where he had gone to seek refuge as he was being chased by the locals and police reservists.

He was handed over to a police Special Operations Group (SOP), which has been deployed for an operation to arrest the killers.

Elgeyo Marakwet County Police Commander Peter Mulinge confirmed the arrest and said the operation was still going on.

“We have the operation intensified so that we get all the others,” Mulinge said.

Sources said a search was still going on for three more suspects.

This came as the Catholic run Chesongoch Mission Hospital was shut down after staff left the area, fearing for their safety.

Police intensified the hunt for the suspects linked to the murder.

A four-day ultimatum to the community in the area to have the suspects surrender expired on Thursday, and the special team of DCI officers is camping in the area to hunt for suspects bandits involved in the killing.

DIG of Police Eliud Lagat who had visited the area last weekend, has warned that if the suspects are not surrendered, police would use all necessary force to get them.

He issued the warning after elders in the area requested four days to help hand over the suspects.

“If you will not help us to get them, then it will not be business as usual,” Lagat said.

Three governors have also asked the Marakwet community to surrender or help arrest criminals who shot dead Fr Bett in Kerio Valley.

The church has announced that Fr Bett will be buried on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Holy Family Parish church, Olessos in Nandi County.