New details have emerged that the killers of Molo activist Richard Otieno, alias Molo president, were allegedly hired to eliminate him.
Police investigations have revealed that Mr Peter Oketch, alias DJ I0, was contracted to execute the plot against Otieno.
Mr Oketch, a suspect police are now considering the mastermind of the crime, is said to have recruited boda boda riders and hawkers to carry out the murder.
Otieno, a youth leader and fierce critic of the government and Molo MP Kuria Kimani, was hacked to death on January 18 a few metres from Elburgon Police Station.
Suspects in the murder of Richard Otieno, who was popularly known as ‘Molo President’, when they appeared before Nakuru’s Principal Magistrate Kipkurui Kibellion on February 24, 2025.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
According to an affidavit sworn by lead investigator Inspector Patrick Wachira, Oketch enlisted two other suspects— Mr Joseph Kihara Kariuki and Mr Evans Aseka— who were arrested in Molo on February 23.
"The first respondent (Peter Okech) was the one who was given the hit man contract by both the financiers and beneficiaries of this heinous act and thereafter recruited the second, third respondents among other suspects who are not before this court," stated Mr Wachira.
The court was notified that CCTV footage allegedly captured the trio planning an ambush before Omollo was attacked.
The suspects later fled to Tanzania, where they were hosted by relatives before returning to Kenya, according to Mr Wachira.
Family of Richard Otieno, ‘The president of Molo’, demands justice after his murder
Upon their arrest, police detained them at Central Police Station in Nakuru for questioning. They were arraigned on Monday afternoon, with the prosecution seeking to detain them for 21 days to complete investigations.
While seeking the detention period, the prosecution argued that investigators still needed to collect DNA samples, conduct an identification parade, and record witness statements.
“The respondents were geolocated at the same location together with the victim the day he was attacked and murdered in Elburgon on January 18. Thereafter, the respondents were paid by others not before this court for the hitman job which was shared as proceeds of crime, with one of the respondents' number being registered with another identity card,” stated Mr Wachira.
Earlier, six other suspects were arraigned on February 3, namely Mr Clinton Simantu, Mr Jorim Ng’ong’a, Mr Peter Mwaniki, Mr John Ndegwa, Mr Geoffrey Ndung’u, while Mr Stephen Masheti appeared in court on February 14.
Suspects in the murder of Richard Otieno, who was popularly known as ‘Molo President’, being escorted to the Nakuru Law Courts on February 24, 2025.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
The court had previously allowed police to detain the earlier suspects for 21 and 10 days, respectively.
During Monday’s mention of the case, the prosecution requested an additional 21 days, citing pending statements from key witnesses, some of whom had gone into hiding out of fear, as well as DNA analysis, and reports from the Government Chemist.
Post-mortem reveals how ‘Molo President’ died
Prosecutor Emma Okok also argued that the suspects’ lives remained in danger due to public outrage over the killing.
However, Nakuru Principal Magistrate Kipkurui Kibellion granted only 10 more days, instructing police to complete their investigations within that time.
Suspects in the murder of Richard Otieno, who was popularly known as ‘Molo President’, being escorted to the Nakuru Law Courts on February 24, 2025.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
“The suspects shall be set at liberty if no formal charges have been preferred against them by 5pm on March 6,” ruled Mr Kibellion.
According to an autopsy by Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Odour, Otieno died from severe head injuries caused by a sharp object, likely a panga or axe.
He died two days after complaining that he was being trailed by unknown persons and receiving death threats.
