Former Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) Board Chairman Irungu Nyakera has urged the church to think twice before dabbling in politics ahead of the 2027 General Election.
His statement follows the mysterious killing of Father Allois Cheruiyot Bett, a Catholic priest serving at St. Matthias Mulumba Tot Parish in Elgeyo Marakwet County. This marks the second death of a Catholic priest under unclear circumstances in less than a month.
In a statement posted on his X account on Sunday, May 25, 2025, Nyakera called on Christians to pray for clergy members to continue speaking the truth boldly, even in the face of danger.
He expressed deep concern over the recent loss of two priests in less than a month under unclear circumstances.
Nyakera reminded Kenyans that some of the same church leaders now facing attacks were at the forefront during the 2022 elections, encouraging citizens to vote for the current government. He challenged the church to take responsibility for its past political stance.
He urged the church to publicly repent and apologise to the faithful for endorsing leaders who, according to him, have failed to deliver on promises and protect innocent lives.
“As you go to church today, take a moment to pray for our church leaders, that they may continue to speak the truth boldly, without fear of being silenced. In just two weeks, two priests have been assassinated in unclear and disturbing circumstances. These are the same clergy who stood at the frontlines in 2022, urging Kenyans to elect this administration,” Nyakera asserted.
Adding;
“I also urge the church to repent and apologise to worshippers for directing them to elect this regime that has in turn failed to protect the innocent or deliver on their promises. Finally, as we bow our heads, let us also pray for our future. Pray for WANTAM – We are not taking another mistake.”
Father Cheruiyot’s killing
Father Allois was fatally shot on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Mokoro Location, Kakiptul Sub-Location.
According to the National Police Service (NPS), unknown attackers ambushed the priest and fled immediately after the shooting. This incident triggered an urgent manhunt by General Service Unit (GSU) officers. So far, six suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing.
NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga clarified that the murder was not related to cattle rustling or the widespread banditry in the North Rift region.
In his condolence message, President William Ruto assured the public that security agencies would track down those who orchestrated and those who pulled the trigger.
He further pledged to help ensure peace is restored in Kerio Valley.
“We will hunt down his killers as we commit to restoring peace in the Kerio Valley,” Ruto said in his statement.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, while speaking in Nandi South on Saturday, May 24, 2025, shed more light on the matter.
He revealed that Father Allois might have been caught in the middle of a retaliatory attack by armed bandits. According to him, the government had recently conducted an operation that led to the killing of a well-known bandit commander.
The commander, believed to have been responsible for supplying firearms and ammunition to the bandits, died during a confrontation with security forces.
Murkomen said the killing of the commander sparked outrage among the remaining bandits, who then planned revenge attacks targeting villages. It was during one of these attacks that Father Allois was reportedly shot.
He described the attackers as very young, with most being between 16 and 20 years old. He said some of them consider themselves commanders by the time they are 21. Murkomen lamented that the murder of a priest was something unprecedented in Kenya and emphasised the seriousness of the situation.
“Those people disturbing us are between 16 to 20 years old. Those who hit 21 call themselves commanders. You saw what they did to Father, something that has never happened in this country,” Murkomen revealed.
He added that security operations had intensified in the region, with several bandits arrested or killed in the recent past. The government believes the murder of Father Allois was meant to provoke a response and pressure authorities into entering negotiations.
However, Murkomen made it clear that the government will not negotiate with criminals. He stated that the only options for the bandits are to surrender their weapons or face the full force of the law. He emphasised that the state will not be intimidated or manipulated into backing down from the crackdown.
