Catholic Bishops urge govt probe into gruesome murders of priests Maina and Bett
The Catholic Church is grappling with the tragic loss of two priests, Father John Maina and Father Alois Bett, whose recent deaths have raised serious concerns about the safety of clergy and the state of security in the country.
In a heartfelt statement signed by 31 bishops on Thursday, May 29, 2025, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) expressed profound concern over the deaths of the slain priests, describing the circumstances as shrouded in malicious intent and mystery.
Condemning the heinous act, the bishops called for a thorough investigation into their deaths, seeking to uncover the circumstances and motives behind the incidents.
They emphasised the need for such an inquiry to safeguard the security and well-being of both clergy and all Kenyans in the future.
“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 going forward,” the KCCB statement reads in part.
“We are greatly disturbed that both deaths have come with veiled malicious intent and mystery. We wish to decry the deaths of these ministers of God and the sense of insecurity and helplessness created by such incidents against the servants of God.”
The bishops further expressed profound dismay over the devaluation of human life, noting that murders and deaths are increasingly treated with indifference and exploited for political gain.
They emphasised that the role of Catholic priests extends beyond religious duties, highlighting their commitment to serving marginalised communities, the forgotten, and the sick, offering them unwavering hope.
“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,” they added.
The work carried out by our Catholic priests goes beyond the service of religion and evangelisation. It reaches out to caring for the marginalised, the forgotten and the sick, to bring them hope that does not disappoint!”
Father Bett’s death
The Bishops’ calls come after the National Police Service (NPS) disclosed that the preliminary investigations ruled out that Father Beth’s killing was not linked to cattle rustling or banditry.
According to the police, Father Bett, who was based at St Matthias Mulumba Tot Parish, was accosted and fatally shot shortly after concluding a Jumuiya (small Christian community) mass in Kakbiken village.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon, May 22, 2025, in Kabartile Village, Mokoro Location, Kerio Valley, within Elgeyo Marakwet County.
“The National Police Service (NPS) regrets to confirm the tragic shooting of Reverend Father Allois Cheruiyot Bett of St. Matthias Mulumba Tot Parish. The incident occurred in Mokoro Location, Kakiptul Sub-Location, Kabartile Village. General Service Unit officers responded swiftly and established that Father Bett was accosted and fatally shot by armed assailants,” the National Police Service statement reads in part.
“A manhunt was immediately launched, and six suspects have since been arrested and are currently in custody. Preliminary investigation indicates that the incident is not in any way related to cattle rustling or banditry.”
Father Maina’s death
On the other hand, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, issued an update on the investigation of the death of Father John Maina.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations is investigating the circumstances surrounding the murder of Father John Maina from Igwamiti Parish, Nyahururu. Reports indicate that, on April 27, 2025, Fr Maina attended a silver jubilee anniversary ceremony of Igwamiti Catholic parish and the ordination of Father Simon Thuita. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accompanied by other politicians, attended the ceremony,” the DCI stated.
According to the DCI, the priest’s body was discovered along the Nakuru-Nairobi highway by a good Samaritan, a motorcycle rider near the Diatomite stage, with bruises on the left side of his head and is said to have told the boda boda rider that he had been abducted from Nyahururu.
Preliminary findings from an autopsy that was conducted on his body on May 19, 2025, revealed that the bruises observed on Fr Maina’s head were unlikely to be the cause of death.
