Elgeyo Marakwet: Father Alloys Bett’s Murder Sparks Major Crackdown on Kerio Valley Bandits
- The Ministry of Interior has sanctioned a serious police crackdown in Kerio Valley to flush out criminal elements who have been terrorising the locals
- A few days back, a Catholic cleric was murdered by gunmen in Elgeyo Marakwet, the same attack being carried out on two other people within the same area
- According to the Interior Ministry, the attacks are cowardly acts by criminals to instil fear in the face of tough government action to deal with them
Nairobi - The national government has renewed its efforts to eliminate banditry in the troubled Kerio Valley following the brutal killing of a Catholic priest, Reverend Father Alloys Cheruiyot Bett.
Source: Facebook
While the priests' death was not linked to banditry, detectives probing the killing have termed it a desperate act of terror by remnants of a dwindling criminal network.
What CS Murkomen promised over Kerio Valley bandits
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, during a visit to the late priest’s home in Cheplasgei Village, Nandi county, vowed a relentless manhunt to flush out the attackers and restore lasting peace in the region.
The murder of Bett, who was stationed at St. Matthias Mulumba Parish in Tot, sparked national outrage and prompted an intensified security response.
“In recent weeks, our security forces have intensified operations against bandits in Kerio Valley, leading to multiple arrests,” said Murkomen.
“Frustrated by their inability to steal livestock, the bandits have now turned to killing innocent civilians. These are acts of terrorism aimed at instilling fear and derailing ongoing security operations—but we will not relent," he added.
The killing of the cleric, along with the recent murders of Boniface Ongote and Simon Njaga, underscores a worrying shift in strategy by criminal elements, moving away from cattle rustling to targeted assassinations of civilians and peace actors.
Has banditry reduced in Elgeyo Marakwet?
Authorities now believe the attacks are meant to intimidate communities and force security personnel to retreat from high-risk zones.
However, the government maintains that significant progress has been made in neutralising the bandit threat.
According to Interior Ministry data, incidents of banditry in the region have reduced by more than 50% in the past five months compared to 2024, thanks to enhanced military and police operations.
“The larger Kerio Valley is now largely pacified, save for a few pockets of resistance. This success has been made possible by the efforts of our brave security forces, local leaders, and religious figures like Bett, who championed peace until his untimely death," Murkomen said.
Source: Twitter
What deputy IG of police ordered after insecurity in Kerio Valley
Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat assured residents and civil servants—including teachers and health workers—that their safety is guaranteed.
Speaking during a peace meeting in Chesongoch, Elgeyo Marakwet county, Lagat announced that National Police Reservists (NPRs) had been deployed to guard schools and key public facilities in the valley in a bid to normalise life and rebuild trust within affected communities.
“The government has put in place sufficient measures to ensure all institutions operate smoothly. We will protect our people,” Lagat stated.
Lagat further issued an ultimatum to the community to surrender those responsible for Bett’s murder, signalling a zero-tolerance stance on impunity.
The Catholic church has also called for justice, with Bishop Dominic Kimengich of the Eldoret Diocese urging residents to aid security agencies in identifying the culprits.
Political and religious leaders attending the Chesongoch peace meeting urged unity, warning against politicising security matters. Governors Stephen Sang (Nandi) and Wisley Rotich (Elgeyo-Marakwet) called for intensified efforts to eradicate all forms of organised crime in the region.
The government’s approach appears multifaceted—combining community policing, military crackdowns, deployment of NPRs, and cooperation with local leaders and clergy.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
