Viral video shows priest conducting mass armed with AK-47 rifle, as catholic church mourns Fr Alois Bett

A shocking video has emerged online showing a Catholic priest conducting mass while armed with an AK-47 rifle, as the Kerio Valley community continues to grapple with the brutal murder of Fr Alois Bett.

The undated footage, circulating widely on social media, shows the priest fully dressed in liturgical vestments performing his duties at the altar with the assault rifle clearly visible strapped to his back. In the video, he can be seen genuflecting and carrying out typical mass rituals, including raising what appears to be a small ceremonial bucket, presumably during prayer.

While the source, location, and date of the video cannot be immediately verified, the striking images have ignited fierce debate across social media platforms.

pic.twitter.com/WqYJbHN0UU

— The Nairobi Times (@TheNairobiTimez) June 1, 2025

@indiegeko6 questioned: "Praying God for protection while carrying protection?"

@MwanzaThe1 added: "The bible to guide you there and the Gun to take you there"

@GetMeIron offered context, noting: "You'll be suprised by the level of gun ownership in those banditry stricken counties"

The video's emergence comes as the Catholic community prepares to lay Fr Alois Bett to rest.

His body was transferred this morning from Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital morgue to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Eldoret for a Requiem Mass.

Fr Bett was gunned down on May 22, 2025, in Kerio Valley, Elgeyo Marakwet County, while traveling to his parish after attending a meeting. 

His death, coming barely weeks after the death of Fr John Maina Ndegwa, sent shockwaves across the catholic church fraternity and faithful. 

Fr John was laid to rest in a sombre ceremony attended by Christians, family and clergy barely a week ago. 

The funeral service was held at Tabor Hill Spirituality Centre in Ol-Joro orok Constituency of Nyandarua County and presided over by the Diocesan head, Bishop Joseph Mbatia, who called for patience, saying the church has fully engaged DCI to aid in the probe.

“Ata sisi twahitaji ukweli, na hiyo mambo tumehusisha the DCI na wale wengine wanahusika na mambo hayo. Ikiwa ameuwawa tujue ameuwawa kwa nini, na ameuwawa na nani," he said.

Detectives continue to dig into the deaths of the clerics, which have attracted nationwide concern.