NAIROBI — A Catholic priest is dead, shot in an ambush in Kenya’s troubled Kerio Valley. Now, the political fallout is unfolding just as swiftly.
On Saturday, Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba called for the resignation of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, accusing him of failing to protect citizens in one of the country’s most violence-plagued regions.
Her demand follows Thursday’s killing of Father Allois Cheruiyot Bett, who served at St. Matthias Mulumba Tot Parish in the Diocese of Eldoret. The priest was gunned down in an attack authorities believe was the work of armed bandits—an all-too-familiar occurrence in this semi-arid belt of north-western Kenya.
“The killing of the Catholic priest by bandits is heartbreaking,” Wamuchomba said in a post on X, directly tagging the Interior Minister. “@kipmurkomen should resign and return to the opposition benches he was more effective there.”
She also criticised Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, accusing both men of hypocrisy. “CS Duale and CS Murkomen were vocal critics of the previous regime for failing to secure bandit-prone areas and for mismanaging healthcare personnel. Today, they preside over the same dockets and face the same unresolved issues,” she said.
Wamuchomba’s remarks struck a chord with many Kenyans frustrated by the ongoing violence in Kerio Valley, where cattle raids, ambushes and killings have continued despite repeated government pledges to restore order.
President William Ruto, responding swiftly to the priest’s murder, vowed a nationwide manhunt for those behind the attack. Speaking during a visit to the region on Friday evening, the president said: “We will hunt down his killers as we commit to restore peace in the Kerio Valley.”
The National Police Service has since confirmed the deployment of additional officers to the area. A joint security operation has led to the arrest of six suspects. All remain in custody.
In a statement, the police condemned the killing as a “heinous act” and promised “a thorough and swift investigation.” The service also extended condolences to Fr. Bett’s family and parishioners.
The slain priest, remembered for his community outreach and peacemaking work, is the latest victim in a region that has seen dozens of lives lost in recent years due to lawlessness and limited state presence.
Despite numerous military-style crackdowns and high-profile security visits, Kerio Valley remains volatile. Banditry, often tied to disputes over land and livestock, has grown more brutal and unpredictable.
Security experts warn that lasting peace in the region will require more than police patrols. “This is a complex issue historical grievances, poverty, arms proliferation, and weak local governance all play a role,” said Dr. Ezekiel Kiptoo, a conflict analyst based in Eldoret. “Unless the government addresses root causes, the cycle of violence will continue.”
As emotions run high following Fr. Bett’s death, pressure is mounting on the Ruto administration to deliver more than promises.
“We’re tired of condolences,” one local resident told media at the priest’s parish. “We want to live without fear. That’s all.”
