Uasin Gishu: A section of political leaders in the North Rift region has asked the government to gazette the volatile Kerio Valley region as a disturbed area.

Led by Uasin Gishu senator Jackson Mandago and his Nandi counterpart, Samson Cherargei, the politicians said gazetting the area disturbed will allow for full disarmament exercises.

Speaking at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Eldoret on Monday, June 2, during the requiem mass for Father Allois Bett, who was killed in Tot, Elgeyo Marakwet, the politicians further asked the government to deal with criminals behind a wave of insecurity in the region as terrorists.

“We need to gazette Kerio Valley as a disturbed area so that we can disarm and flush out criminals who are within the community. We should also deal with them as domestic terrorists, so that peace can be restored,” Cherargei said.

According to the vocal legislator, when the government declared Mount Elgon as disturbed area, a security operation successfully eliminated the then criminal group, the Sabaot Land Defense Forces (SLDF), and eventually peace was restored.

Similar sentiments were shared by Senator Mandago, who said it was time the Kerio Valley borders were closed to allow for the recovery of all illegal arms in the hands of civilians in the region.

He also asked members of the public to help the police in the ongoing hunt for criminals behind the murder of the Catholic priest.

“Fr Allois Bett was killed less than 10 minutes after conducting mass. He was not in the bush but within the neighbourhood. We believe someone might have known or seen the perpetrator,” Mandago said.

The legislators also asked the police to enhance patrols in the region, even as a manhunt for individuals behind the attack continues.

They expressed hope that before Fr Bett is laid to rest, all perpetrators will have been arrested.

“I want to ask the DCI, since they were quick to expose fake abductions of Juja Member of Parliament, George Koimburi, they should use the same speed to unearth who killed Fr. Allois Bett Cheruiyot,” Cherargei said.

Fr Bett's requiem mass was held ahead of his burial set for Tuesday, June 3, at Holy Family Parish in Olessos, Nandi county.

After the mass, Catholic faithful were allowed to view the body of the slain priest. Tens lined up to view the body inside the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral.

Previously, reported that Catholic faithful and locals held a candle-lighting ceremony for the slain Fr Allois Bett in Eldoret town.

The event was held on the evening of Sunday, June 1, after a peace walk around the Eldoret city streets.

Hundreds of people turned up for the event whose images were widely shared online.

Source: TUKO.co.ke