Kenya, June 5 -- The investigation into the murder of Father Allois Cheruiyot Bett, a Catholic priest killed on May 22 in Elgeyo Marakwet, has taken a grim turn as two men, Simon Yego, 45, and Collins Kipyatich, 22, allegedly connected to the case, were found dead along the Mogotio-Kiptuno road in Nakuru County.
The mutilated bodies, discovered on May 31, bore signs of torture, with severed arms and multiple injuries, according to family members who identified them at the Nakuru County Mortuary.
The families reported Yego and Kipyatich missing on May 30, claiming their abductions occurred hours apart in Tot, Elgeyo Marakwet, where Father Bett was fatally shot.
Relatives allege the men were taken by armed individuals posing as security personnel, with Kipyatich abducted from Tot Health Centre during a malaria treatment and Yego seized while driving his Probox taxi.
A female passenger with Yego, later released, reported being questioned about Father Bett's murder, fueling speculation of a link to the priest's killing.
Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Abdi Hassan has denied any direct connection to Father Bett's case, stating that investigations into both incidents are ongoing.
The families, however, decried the killings as possible extrajudicial acts, demanding justice for their loved ones, whom they described as peaceful citizens with no criminal records.
Netizens reflect public outrage and calls for transparency, with many questioning the circumstances of the deaths and their ties to the priest's murder, while others remember the former police spokespersons' words about murders.
Police have intensified operations in the region, with six suspects already in custody for Father Bett's killing.
The discovery of Yego and Kipyatich's bodies has heightened tensions in Nakuru and Elgeyo Marakwet, as authorities face pressure to uncover the motive behind these brutal murders.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.