Slain Catholic priest Father Allois Bett will be buried on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Holy Family Parish, Ol’lessos, in Nandi County, according to Eldoret Diocese Bishop Dominic Kimengich.
Fr Bett’s killing on May 22 by suspected bandits in Kerio Valley has sparked national outrage and renewed calls for justice and peace in the volatile region.
Bishop Kimengich announced the burial date during a solemn Holy Mass held at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Eldoret, in honor of the late priest, who served at St. Lumumba Parish in Tot.
“He was a great servant of God and we will send him off in a befitting manner,” said Bishop Kimengich, who was joined at the mass by Auxiliary Bishop John Kiplimo Arap Lelei.
The mass was also attended by political leaders, including Governors Stephen Sang (Nandi), Wesley Rotich (Elgeyo Marakwet), and Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu), along with Nandi Woman Representative Cynthia Muge and county assembly speakers Phillip Muigei and Lawi Kibire.
During the service, the governors urged the Marakwet community to help identify and surrender the individuals responsible for the killing.
Governor Sang expressed frustration over reports that members of the community knew the assailants but were reluctant to cooperate with authorities out of fear and intimidation.
“We want justice to be done for our late Fr Bett,” said Sang. “The killers must be surrendered to face the law. We cannot keep waiting for government action that might hurt innocent people.”
Governor Rotich, who mourned Fr Bett as a close friend and peace champion, acknowledged the pain caused by the murder.
“Everyone is asking why we have sunk so low — killing a priest. This shameful act does not represent the Marakwet community, and the individual involved must be brought to justice,” he said.
The leaders urged the national government to enhance efforts to end banditry and restore peace in the region. Governor Bii described Fr Bett as a “great church leader” and expressed faith that divine justice would prevail.
“The same God whom Fr Bett served will reveal and bring to justice the criminal who took his life,” said Bii.
Bishop Kimengich concluded with a strong plea to end the cycle of violence in the region: “We gather in faith and gratitude to celebrate the life and service of a devoted servant of God. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
