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Nandi youth kneel in prayers for 60 hours to honour slain Father Allois
23rd January, 2026 04:06 PM
Approximately eight months after the killing of Catholic priest Father Allois Bett by bandits in the Tot area of Elgeyo Marakwet County, a group of youth from Nandi County visited the region to honour his memory.
The youth marked the occasion with a 60-hour prayer session held on their knees.
The group, led by Roseline Jepkoech and Kelvin Cheruiyot, stated that their journey from Nandi to Elgeyo Marakwet was aimed at encouraging the youth and residents of the Kerio Valley at large to continue upholding peace.
Speaking directly to this station in Tot on Friday, January 23, 2026, the youth emphasised the need for Kerio Valley residents to live in peace, unity, and good neighbourliness.
“We have come to pray that the youth of this area continue to live in peace and abandon the shedding of blood,” Cheruiyot said.
Peace in the region
While noting that the death of Father Allois Bett remains a painful memory, the youth expressed pride in the peace currently being witnessed in the region. They emphasised that without peace, there is no “peace of mind,” adding that insecurity leaves families living in fear and severely affects the education sector and development activities.
The gesture was warmly welcomed by residents, led by Samuel Rotich, who expressed their gratitude for the return of peace. He noted that they are now living without fear or conflict with their neighbours.
Residents recalled that life had been extremely difficult due to the prolonged period of insecurity. This instability made it a major challenge for locals to carry out their daily activities, as they feared attacks by livestock rustlers.
Furthermore, the residents made a special appeal to the local youth to fully engage in agribusiness. They noted that this would enable them to earn a legal income and improve their lives, rather than engaging in banditry and cattle rustling.
“Today, we are living like other Kenyans in cities like Mombasa, Nairobi, and other parts of the nation because of the security we are now experiencing in the Kerio Valley,” said Rotich.
Allois Cheruiyot Bett died on May 22, 2025, after being shot and killed by bandits in Kerio Valley, Elgeyo Marakwet, while on his pastoral mission.
