Aid agencies have begun suspending operations in the volatile Kerio Valley, citing an increase in threats from armed criminals targeting their staff.
The killing of non-locals over the past two months has forced major charitable agencies, including the Catholic Church, to halt operations indefinitely.
The Missionary Benedictine Sisters of the Catholic Church are the latest humanitarian agency to halt operations in the Kerio Valley due to an inability to provide essential services, as staff are fleeing the conflict-prone area.
This follows the killing of Fr. Alloise Cheruiyot Bett of St. Mathias Mulumba, Tot parish last Thursday, and the continued campaign against non-locals which has forced public servants, including teachers, to flee the area.
“Due to the high tension being experienced, we have arrived at a decision with immediate effect to close our mission stations indefinitely until the area is safe for service,” said a statement by Sr. Rosa Pascal.
She said that mounting threats to security have triggered mental, emotional and psychological trauma among the sisters, coupled with an inability to provide essential services due to a lack of staff fleeing the area.
“Our action is meant to ensure the safety of our sisters working in the region, our employees and those who visit our mission for different services and to press the government for a lasting solution to peace in the area, including disarming civilians,” explained Sr. Rosa.
“It is further meant to remind the people of Kerio Valley of the relevance of our presence to the community. If the community does not consider our mission as essential to them, then there is no need of our presence.”
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat, Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan attend a security meeting with chiefs and assistant chiefs from West Pokot, Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties, in Chesongoch on April 28, 2025.
Photo credit: File | Nation
The Catholic bishops have demanded a comprehensive inquiry into the murders of Fr Alloise, a priest from the Eldoret diocese, and Fr James Maina, a priest from the Nyahururu diocese, describing the killings as a tragic loss to the Church.
“We demand a deep inquiry into these deaths, to reveal the real circumstances and motives, so as to ensure the security and safety of our priests and all Kenyans,” said the 31 Catholic bishops in a statement signed by the chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Rev. Maurice Muhatia Makumba.
They asked the government to guarantee the security of individuals serving in remote and insecure parts of the country.
“How can it be that security can't be guaranteed for those serving in these remote areas? Who is really behind such a meticulously executed murder? We, as Catholic Bishops, are totally dismayed by how cheap life has become, where murders and deaths are taken lightly, and used carelessly for political expediency,” the bishops said.
They said it was unfortunate that Catholic priests were being targeted in areas where they were trying to evangelise, when their work was to offer care and hope to marginalised people in society.
“We pray not just for justice, but that mercy should prevail in our hearts. We look forward to a comprehensive report of these incidents in the shortest time,” added the Bishops.
Despite government assurances of safety, most non-locals, including teachers posted to Kerio Valley, are staying away from their stations.
The fate of more than 3,500 pupils in the area is uncertain as non-local teachers avoid schools for fear for their lives amid a resurgence of killings by armed criminals.
However, it is emerging that hundreds of bandits are escaping the ongoing multi-agency security operations and retreating to neighbouring Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia counties.
Administrators and the security team in the region disclosed that 17 suspects had been arrested in the ongoing multi-agency operation to flush out the bandits and recover illegal weapons.
Peter Mulinge, the police boss in Elgeyo Marakwet County, said that intelligence reports revealed that the armed bandits had fled their hideouts in the Kerio Valley and retreated to safe areas after staging attacks targeting non-locals, dashing hopes of peace in the volatile region.
“These are not ordinary cattle raiders but experienced bandits who are armed with sophisticated weapons. Our security team is determined to smoke them out and restore law and order,” said Mr Mulinge.
He described the situation in the Kerio Valley as calm, noting that they are still pursuing the criminals responsible for the prolonged attacks.
“So far, 17 accomplices have been arrested in connection with the shooting dead of the Catholic priest, but we are zeroing in on other suspects and we shall soon catch up with them,” Mr Mulinge said.
The National Police Service has ruled out cattle rustling or banditry as the motive for the killing of Fr Alloise. The priest was attacked by an armed assailant while walking back to the parish headquarters.
“A manhunt was immediately launched and six suspects have since been arrested and are currently in custody,” said police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga.
