The Catholic Church has released the official funeral programme for Father Allois Bett, the priest who was brutally murdered by suspected bandits in Kerio Valley two weeks ago.
His death has sparked grief, outrage, and growing calls for government accountability amid worsening insecurity in the region.
According to the church’s statement, the body of Father Bett will be moved on Monday from Moi Referral Hospital morgue to the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Eldoret, where a requiem mass and public viewing will take place.
From there, the body will travel by road to Holy Family Ol Lessos Parish in Nandi County for a night vigil.
The final send-off will be held on Tuesday at St Michael’s Terige High School, with a public viewing and funeral mass, before a solemn procession to his final resting place at the Ol Lessos Parish cemetery.
Bishop Dominic Kimengich of Eldoret will lead the funeral rites, which are expected to draw senior clergy, faithful from across the region, and top government officials.
Father Bett served at St Mulumba Church in Tot, located in the volatile Kerio Valley, where he was fatally shot by armed bandits while returning from a Jumuiya mass. The attack occurred just two kilometres from his church.
“This is a devastating loss to the church and the people. We demand justice,” Bishop Kimengich stated.
In the wake of his murder, the Missionary Benedictine Sisters have shut down all church operations in Kerio Valley—including the Chesongoch Mission Hospital, which served thousands. Over 100 health workers have since withdrawn.
Governor Wisley Rotich said efforts are ongoing to stabilize the area, but the church insists that peace must come with disarmament and security guarantees.
