Catholic Church shuts down mission stations in Kerio Valley after priest killed

The Catholic Church has shut down its missionary stations in Kerio Valley, Elgeyo Marakwet County, including the Chesongoch Mission Hospital, due to the volatile situation in the area.

In a statement dated Friday May 30, 2025, from the Missionary Benedictine Sisters, the church says it has been forced to shut down operations in the region which has turned into a valley of death.

“There has been high tension of insecurity causing mental, emotional, and psychological trauma to our sisters,” read the statement, adding that the situation has made it difficult to run the essential services due to lack of staff who are fleeing the area.

The church, which has about 100 employees, said it had been forced to close down operations at the Chesongoch Mission Hospital, a move which could spell doom for hundreds of residents who depend on the facility for medical services.

The church noted the decision had been arrived at to “ensure the safety of the sisters working in the region, employees and those who visit the mission for different services.”

It also stated that the move is aimed at pressing the government for a lasting solution to peace in the area including dis-arming the civilians, and to remind the people of Kerio Valley the relevance of the mission’s presence to the community.”

“If the community does not consider our mission as essential to them then there is no

The move comes days after the murder of Father Alloys Bett by suspected bandits. Father Bett was serving at St. Mulumba Parish near Tot. The clergyman, who was remembered for his passion for preaching peace, will be laid to rest next week Tuesday.