Police Say Slain Catholic Priest Was Accosted, Shot by Armed Attackers: "Killers Not Bandits"
- Six suspects are in police custody as investigators piece up evidence to unravel the murder of Father Allos Bett
- Bett, the resident cleric of St. Matthias Mulumba Tot Parish, was accosted and shot dead by the attackers
- Police say the killing was not related to banditry; the attackers braved the retaliation by a contingent of GSU officers who were near the scene
The police have revealed the circumstances in which a Catholic priest was attacked and killed in Elgeyo Marakwet.
Source: Twitter
Reverend Father Allois Cheruiyot Bett was shot dead by assailants.
Until his death, he was the resident cleric of St. Matthias Mulumba Tot Parish.
According to police, Bett was accosted and fatally shot by armed assailants.
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner ;)
Six suspects were arrested in connection with the murder.
Were the killers of Father Bett bandits?
During the attack, a contingent of General Service Unit (GSU) officers responded, but the attackers were determined to brave the retaliation.
Read also
Elgeyo Marakwet: Father Alloys Bett’s murder sparks major crackdown on Kerio Valley bandits
In their preliminary findings, the police established that the attack was not related to banditry.
"A manhunt was immediately launched, and six suspects have since been arrested and are currently in custody. Preliminary investigation indicates that the incident is not in any way related to cattle rustling or banditry," the police.
The police, while commiserating with the friends and kin of Father Bett and the parishioners of St. Matthias Mulumba, condemned the priest's killing, promising a quick investigation and bringing all the perpetrators to justice.
They called on the residents of Mokoro Location to remain calm and give investigators a chance to undertake their work, as well as to volunteer information that will help get justice for the victim.
"NPS further appeals for the public's continued support and encourages anyone with information that may assist the investigation to report it to the nearest police station or through our toll-free numbers: 999, 911, 112, and #FichuakwaDCI (0800 722 203). All information provided will be treated with utmost confidentiality," the police said.
This adds to the list of murder cases the crime busters are handling currently.
How did Father John Maina meet his death?
On Wednesday, May 21, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reported progress in their ongoing investigation into the murder of Father John Maina.
Source: Facebook
The resident priest of Igwamiti Parish died at St. Joseph's Mission Hospital in Gilgil, Nakuru County, after being tortured and left for dead by his kidnappers.
According to the DCI, Maina was found injured on May 15 in Kikopey, along the Nakuru-Nairobi Highway, nearly 50 kilometres from his church.
A boda boda rider discovered him and took him to the hospital, but he later succumbed to his injuries.
While the autopsy results conducted on his body were not disclosed, sources suggest that the cleric died from gunshot wounds.
How Gachagua eulogised Father John Maina
His death came a fortnight after he hosted former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua in the church's 25th anniversary.
Gachagua, gutted about Maina's death, called on the state investigators to expedite their probe into the priest's murder.
He eulogised him as a fearless clergyman who spoke truth to power through the powerful sermons he gave.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
