: The family of Fr Allois Cheruiyot Bett, who was recently killed in Tot, Elgeyo Marakwet county, has forgiven the individuals behind the heinous act.

Speaking during a requiem mass of the slain priest at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Eldoret on Monday, June 2, the family spokesperson, Amos Samoei, said the decision to forgive the killers was based on the need for Fr Bett to have a peaceful send-off.

Samoei further noted that forgiveness was their only comforting gesture they could offer.

"We as the parents and relatives of late Fr Allois Cheruiyot Bett have forgiven the killers of our son,” the family spokesperson said.

However, Samoei said those behind the murder incident should come out or send their relatives to the family to fully cement their forgiveness.

He explained that perpetrators visiting the family is based on a long-standing Kalenjin practice.

“As the Kalenjin community, there are procedures set if a person kills another. It is required that relatives from that side look for elders to visit parents of the deceased who hold talks and offer forgiveness,” Samoei explained.

Fr Bett was killed a few minutes after presiding over a holy mass in the Tot area within the volatile Kerio Valley region where he was based.

The police have since dismissed claims that he was killed by bandits, and a manhunt for the suspects is ongoing.

The police had earlier announced the arrest of six suspects linked to the incident.

But even as police continue with investigations, they hope would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators, Fr Allois Bett’s family challenged the community to help in providing information.

"CCTVs of Allois were closed yet CCTV footages of the slain Kasipul Kabondo MP Ongondo Were were recovered by security agencies within 2 days. The CCTVs of Allois Bett were the members of the community whom they had mass with on fateful day,” Samoei said.

Fr Bett is set to be buried on Tuesday, June 3, the cemetery at Holy Family Parish Ol Lessos in Nandi County.

Previously, reported that a section of political leaders in the North Rift region has asked the government to consider gazetting Kerio Valley as a disturbed area.

Led by Uasin Gishu senator Jackson Mandago and Nandi's Samson Cherargei, the politicians said declaring the volatile area disturbed would help ensure a successful disarmament exercise.

The two legislators also challenged the state to act aggressively against the individuals who have been terrorising locals in the region for several decades now.

Source: TUKO.co.ke