Mystery deaths add to string of unresolved murders in North Rift

Family members and friends view the body of the late Fr Allois Cheruiyot Bett after his requiem mass at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Uasin Gishu County yesterday. June 2, 2025. [Peter Ochieng, Standard] Mysterious killings that have rocked the North Riff region remain unresolved for years. The murders seem to follow a similar pattern, starting with abductions and then the discovery of bullet-riddled bodies. Despite promises by the authorities to investigate and punish the culprits, the most of the cases appear to have gone cold. In the most recent incident, bodies of two men abducted on Friday in Tot, Elgeyo Marakwet, were discovered in Kapnyangale Village in Soin Ward on the border of Nakuru and Baringo Counties two days later. Simon Yego, 45, and Collins Kipyatich, 22, were found dumped by the roadside over 220 kilometres from their home. Their abduction was linked to the ongoing security operation following the killing of Fr Allois Bett of St Mathias Mulumba Parish in Tot by suspected bandits on May 22. Evans Biwott said his brother Kipyatich had gone to seek treatment at the Tot Health Centre on Friday morning when he was kidnapped as locals watched helplessly. At around 5.30 pm, Yego, who owned a Toyota Probox which he operated as a matatu, was blocked by an ambulance a short distance from the same health centre, with one female passenger on board. Yego was allegedly bundled into the ambulance as one of the abductors drove his car. "Yego and his passenger were questioned about the killing of Fr Bett. The passenger, who is a local, told them she had no idea," said Wifred Yego, his brother. The woman was set free along the way. "Their captors stopped an Armoured Personnel Courier at the border of Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties. They requested the uniformed police officers to drop the woman at Tot. On arrival, she told the community of her ordeal," said Wilfred. The family claims to have reported the two incidents at the Tot Police Station hoping to find their kin alive, only for their bodies to be recovered miles away from home. In January 2021, six people were abducted at a hotel in Chemolingot, Tiaty, Baringo County, and their bodies later found in a thicket in Arabal a day later. The victims were Paul Kosgei (human resource officer for the Teachers Service Commission in Tiaty), Nelson Kordado (primary school head teacher), Brian Silale (IEBC official), David Kukat (a medical student), Todoreng Tiyan (a ranger), and Loporuso Sihreng (a resident). The six went missing hours after security agencies launched an operation in Kapedo and Tiaty following the killing of General Service Unit Operations Commissioner Emadau Tebakol. A post-mortem revealed that they were severely tortured and had gunshot wounds. In June, 2019, Benson Kiptire, Ward Rep for Kapyego in Elgeyo Marakwet was found dead in Kamatira Forest, West Pokot County. The Minority Leader was allegedly picked at his shop in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu, by people who introduced themselves as Directorate of Criminal Investigations officers. In February, 2017, Loyamorok MCA Kibet Cheretei and politician Simon Kitamba alias Pepee were gunned down in Marigat. In May of the same year, Churo Amaya MCA Thomas Minito was abducted in Kabarnet. His body was found in Oldonyo Sabuk, Athi River, five days later. Minito was last seen in a hotel in Kabarnet town, where people believed to be police officers allegedly picked him, leaving a woman he was having lunch with. In yet another unresolved incident, Ng'elecha Location chief, Grisson Kokoo, disappeared in July, 2017. His body was found riddled with bullet wounds later.

Mystery deaths add to string of unresolved murders in North Rift

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