New developments have emerged in the murder of ‘Molo President’ Richard Otieno, indicating that his alleged killers were hired hitmen.
Otieno, was a vocal human rights activist and critic of Molo MP Kuria Kimani. He was brutally murdered near his home in Elburgon on January 18 while returning from watching a football match.
He was killed just 200 meters from Elburgon Police Station. His body was found dumped in a thicket near the Molo River in Turi on Sunday.
Detectives from the DCI have arrested nine suspects in connection with the murder.
One is a boda boda rider who is believed to have transported the hitmen to the crime scene.
Three suspects—Peter Oketch, alias DJ IO, Joseph Kihara Kariuki, alias Jose, and Evans Aseka Okututi—were arrested on February 23 after weeks of evading capture.
Investigators revealed that they fled to Tanzania immediately after the killing before secretly returning to Kenya.
Richard Otieno Bounty
Authorities uncovered that the killers were promised KSh 300,000 and a parcel of land in exchange for carrying out the murder.
However, they initially received only KSh 3,000, followed by an additional KSh 5,000, bringing their total payment to just KSh 8,000, which is only 2.67% of the bounty.
Oketch is believed to be the mastermind of the plot, recruiting Kariuki and Aseka to carry out the attack.
Investigators also linked a blogger, reportedly connected to the financier, to the crime. The blogger is said to have helped identify and guide the assassins to their target.
Otieno’s murder sparked outrage, with angry residents taking to the streets in protest. Demonstrators carried his body from the mortuary to their MP Kuria Kimani’s gate, while demanding justice for the slain activist.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta donated Ksh500,000 to the widow of Richard Otieno, who left behind two young children.
The accused are set to appear before Principal Magistrate Kipkurui Kibellion for plea-taking on March 5, 2025. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing as authorities work to apprehend additional suspects still at large.
By Vivian K.