Police under fire over failure to arrest Fr Allois Bett's murderers

Questions on why the killers of Catholic priest Father Allois Bett have not been arrested dominated his requiem mass yesterday at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Eldoret.

Fr Bett was killed by assailants in Kerio Valley on May 22. Ten days later, hours before burial in Ol’Lessos, Nandi County, his killers are yet to be arrested.

Leaders and clerics said it was puzzling that the killers of the priest were not being apprehended, yet they were known by locals in Tot, where he was shot dead.

Residents of the Kerio Valley had on May 24 promised Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat that suspects would be presented to authorities within three days.

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But until yesterday afternoon, no suspect had been arrested. Elgeyo Marakwet Senator William Kisang told security agencies to produce the suspects. “We can’t continue to wait for the community to give us the suspect,” he said.

His Nandi counterpart, Samson Cherargei, faulted the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for failing to arrest the suspects.

Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret John Lelei thanked the Benedictine Sisters who recently shut their operations for an indefinite period for their service in the troubled region.

“You have educated and treated many of the residents in Kerio Valley, including the bandits who turned their guns on Fr Allois,” Bishop Lelei said.

Fr Bett will be buried today at the Church’s cemetery in Ol’Lessos. Several vigil masses were slated for last night.

Catholic faithful and clerics eulogised the priest as a preacher who championed peace.