Two men linked to the murder of Catholic priest Father Allois Cheruiyot Bett were found dead in Nakuru County under mysterious circumstances.
Their bodies were discovered dumped along the Mogotio-Kiptuno road, raising concerns among residents and the clergy.
The bodies have been positively identified by their families as those of Simon Yego and Collins Kipyatich from Elgeyo, Marakwet.
The two went missing on Friday, March 30, and their families claim the killings are connected to the murder of Father Bett.
Speaking at the Nakuru Annex mortuary, the family recounted how the two village mates were abducted in broad daylight on the same day, only hours apart.
Collins was the first to be picked up by an ambulance at the Tot Health Centre in Elgeyo Marakwet while undertaking a routine checkup.
At around 5.30 p.m Simon was making his last drop off to the Tot Health Centre in a bid to beat the curfew when an ambulance blocked the probox he was driving at Tot Primary School.
“He was on malaria medication, and an ambulance picked him. Armed individuals alighted and removed him from his probox and forced him to board the ambulance,” Wilfred Yego, a brother, said.
Woman Passenger Reveals Ordeal
He was transporting a female passenger at the time of a suspected abduction.
It is reported that one of the abductors took control of the vehicle and drove it behind the ambulance.
“When they got to the border of Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet, they dropped the passenger and told her to board a KDF vehicle back to Torte Centre,” Wilfred said.
Meanwhile, the brother who’s believed to be a police officer was interrogating the passenger.
Also Read: Catholic Church Mission Closed After Death of Father Allois Bett
“The woman was asked if she knew the people who killed the priest. She said, ‘No I was already married, I left the place where I was married and came to visit my people at home,’,” Wilfred said.
The families of the two reported them as missing persons and complained at the Tot Police Station the next day.
However, the search ended in tragedy with the discovery of the mutilated bodies in Sawin village, Rungai sub-county
This is more than 200 kilometers away from where they were picked.
“His hand was chopped off, and it looks like they were strangled. Marks are showing that they were beaten in the back, stomach and hands. It looks like their leg that were tied with a rope,” he added.
Also Read: Another Catholic Priest Dies
Why Yego was a Target
Yego is said to have ventured into transport business a year ago after losing his livestock to banditry.
The brother described him as a peace champion, a businessman and a man of the church.
Wilfred mentioned that Yego has been a target and has suffered a lot because of insecurity.
“Last year, all his sheep were killed. As if it was not enough, his son was shot. He was in the ICU for over 3 months,” Wilfred added.
The family claims that the incident was another extrajudicial killing.
“We ask the government, if someone does something wrong, they should take them to court. Will killing people lead to justice?” Mercy Kibor, Simon’s sister.
Investigations into Father Allois Cheruiyot Bett Murder
Eliud Lagat, the Deputy Police Inspector, vowed an upcoming crackdown on Probox drivers following an outcry by the residents.
“I have heard your cries, give me those people who killed Father, and I will see the list of probox. I’m hoping we will find those who are involved, and Thursday will not be business as usual,” Lagat warned.
Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan dismissed the claims by the family relating their kin’s killing to Father Bet’s murder stating that a probe is already underway.
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