The Government has intensified its crackdown on bandits who have recently resorted to killing innocent civilians after cattle rustling was contained, said Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.

Speaking during a condolence visit to the family of the late Fr. Alloys Cheruiyot Bett at their home in Cheplasgei Village, Kilibwoni Division, Nandi County, the CS vowed to hunt down all assailants and restore peace to the area.

Fr. Alloys Bett was killed on Thursday in Tot, Kerio Valley.

Murkomen reaffirmed his commitment to securing the country, emphasising that no one will be spared.

“In the recent weeks, our security forces have intensified the crackdown against bandits in Kerio Valley subcounty, and arrests have been made. As a result of these efforts and frustrated by the inability to carry out livestock raids, the bandits have resorted to terrorist activities where they kill innocent civilians inside the community away from cattle rustling,” Murkomen stated.

He explained that the bandits’ strategy is to instil fear and compel security officers to abandon their operations.

“The attack on Fr. Bett must be understood from the context of his peace efforts and his evangelism against banditry. But we will not surrender; instead, our security men and women will double their efforts,” he asserted.

He noted that the recent killings of Bonface Ongote, Simon Njaga, and now Fr. Alloys Bett serve as stark reminders that bandits are engaging in acts of terrorism beyond livestock theft and are determined to prevent the restoration of peace.

Murkomen called on the communities in the Kerio Valley subcounty and the broader region to fully cooperate with security forces in eliminating criminals.

“We are going to be relentless in our efforts. Though we mourn those we lost, including Fr Bett, we are confident that we shall overcome. It’s darkest before dawn,” he said.

Over the past two years, the government has intensified operations against banditry. Consequently, many lives have been saved, livestock recovered, and incidents reduced significantly. According to the latest data, banditry incidents have fallen by more than 50% compared to 2024 over the last five months.

Murkomen stated: “As a matter of fact, the larger Kerio Valley region is pacified, save for a few areas. The relative success is because of the collective efforts of our security officers, supportive members of the public, and community leaders, including from the religious community, like Fr. Alloys Bett.”

The CS expressed his deepest condolences to Fr. Bett’s parents, Eunice and Joseph Binder, as well as to his siblings, friends, the Church, the congregation of St. Matthias Mulumba Tot Parish, and the entire Diocese of Eldoret for this painful and profoundly sad loss.

“Fr. Alloys was a deeply committed and energetic servant of God who went beyond the call of pastoral duty to foster peace and harmony in the community he faithfully served and loved very much,” the CS stated.

He noted that Fr. Alloys’ killing is a significant blow, occurring at a time when the wider Kerio Valley has seen improvements in stability following intensified security operations against banditry over the past two years.

“Save for a few trouble spots, peace has returned to the Valley. Incidents of banditry, for example, have reduced by 50% this year compared to 2024.” he said

He attributed this success to the collective efforts of security personnel, supportive members of the public, community leaders, and the religious community, including Fr. Alloys.

In the wake of the intensified crackdown on banditry and cattle rustling, which has led to numerous arrests, the bandits have retreated to the community to engage in other criminal activities.

Recently, they have resorted to acts of terror to instill fear in the community, security personnel, and peace advocates, hoping the government will ease its operations.

He urged the people of Kerio Valley Sub-County to continue cooperating with security personnel as “we step up our efforts to eliminate this threat.”

“We will also make sure that we hand the harshest punishment to the perpetrators of these heinous acts.”

He was accompanied by Nandi County Governor Stephen Sang, Emgwen MP Josses Lelmengit, DIG-KPS Eliud Lagat, area MCA Geoffrey Chemalan, Nandi Central Sub-County DCC Jillet Jillo, among other leaders.