The late Willis Ayieko was the Head of Human Resource (HR) at Wells Fargo.
When police confronted George Okoth Oduor at a guesthouse in Kisumu on Thursday, he was reportedly armed and prepared to engage them in a fight to the death.
Just a day earlier, Oduor had escaped a shoot-out in Siaya that saw his alleged accomplice in the murder of Wells Fargo Human Resources Director Willis Ayieko, an unidentified woman, injured and admitted to hospital. She would later die hours after admission.
Now, nursing gunshot wounds and holed up inside the guesthouse located near Kisumu National Polytechnic, Oduor was cornered and alone. We will never hear his side of the story, but police who spoke to the Nation painted a vivid picture of what his last moments on earth may have looked like.
According to Nyanza Regional Police Commander Patrick Tito, officers trailing the suspect had tracked him to the guesthouse where he was believed to be hiding after fleeing the Tuesday gunfight.
After getting wind of his location, detectives approached the caretaker for assistance. He led them to the suspect’s room but despite repeated knocks at the door, they were met with silence. Police officers allege that they heard the suspect cock his weapon, prompting them to enter the room by force.
“It was at this moment that the officers neutralised the threat, recovering a pistol with multiple rounds of live ammunition, as well as some spent cartridges," said Mr Tito.
“The suspect tried to aim his gun at them but the police were fast enough and gunned him down...he was ready to shoot. In an active shooter situation, you cannot allow your enemy to pull the trigger first. This situation is dependent on who is faster on the trigger.”
The police also recovered a pistol, several bullets and spent cartridges. Mr Tito, however, did not state whether the cartridges had been picked from elsewhere.
Trail of suspects
So far, Oduor is the fourth person police have linked to the murder of Ayieko.
Since the death of the Wells Fargo boss, two suspects are in police custody while two are now dead.
The first suspect, Victor Ouma Okoth, was arrested in Nairobi’s Dandora Estate on Monday.
Victor Ouma Okoth at a court in Siaya. Police say he's one of the men captured on the CCTV camera where Ayikeo's vehicle was abandoned.
On Tuesday, a shootout in Wagai, Siaya, involving Oduor and a woman thought to be his girlfriend ended with her in hospital and him escaping the dragnet. Within 24 hours, both suspects would be dead -- the woman at a hospital in Yala, Siaya County, and Oduor at the guest house in Kisumu.
The fourth suspect, an unnamed woman, was arrested at a rental house linked to Oduor in Siaya while the police were in the process of tracing him after his escape. They say she's helping sleuths with investigations.
Siaya County Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO) Joseph Thuvi told the Nation that before the shootout in Wagai, police had been trailing the two suspect for hours before finally intercepting the car.
After a chase and exchange of fire, Oduor escaped while the woman was arrested after being found unconscious in the vehicle.
More suspects at large
But even with the four suspects traced, Mr Thuvi mentioned that more are still at large and will be brought to book.
“One cannot end an innocent life and expect to enjoy his while the family of the bereaved suffer. Investigations are going on and I am sure my able officers will get the remaining suspects,” he said.
Oduor's body was taken to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral mortuary.
Siaya Magistrate Jacob Mkala granted the State 21 days to detain the first suspect arrested in Dandora until the case will be mentioned.
“The respondent shall be held at Railways Police Station in Kisumu for a period of 21 days from the date hereof, for the police to conduct their investigations,” said Mr Mkala in his ruling.
