When Richard Otieno left a popular club in Elburgon township after watching an English Premier League match on Saturday night, little did he know that was the last time he would be seen alive.
Moments after he had left the club, a few minutes past midnight, Otieno headed to his house, which is a walking distance from the club.
However, as he was approaching the gate of his house the rights crusader, popularly known as "The Molo president", was attacked by armed gangsters.
Neighbours who heard commotion as Otieno battled the knife-wielding gangster, alerted police who came and found him writhing in pain and took him to Elburgon Nyayo Hospital.
Before his death, Otieno was a philanthropist and fought for the rights of the poor in Elburgon through social media.
At the same time, he was also a sharp critic of the local leadership even as he fought for the rights of Molo residents.
Some of his friends, who spoke on condition of anonymity citing safety fears, said that since the Gen Z protest last year, the deceased had received threats to his life.
“He shared some of the threats on his social media handles,” said a friend.
Another close friend who was with the deceased before he met his death said when he left the club, he was in a good mood.
Angry protesters carry the body of a Molo-based activist, Richard Otieno popularly known as the “Molo President” on the Elburgon- Molo road in Nakuru County on January 19, 2025.
Photo credit: John Njoroge | Nation Media Group
"When we parted ways, he was jovial and made jokes as he wished us good night. He looked happy. During the day, I witnessed him giving a cheque of Sh10,000 to a needy person who wanted to pay school fees for her daughter," said the friend who requested anonymity.
“It is sad to part ways with a colleague only to receive shocking news that he has been murdered in cold blood,” added the friend.
Following his death, protests on Sunday rocked Elburgon Town as residents demanded answers from police.
Molo Sub County Police Commander Timon Odingo said Otieno was attacked at around midnight by unknown people near his house.
Hundreds of residents flocked to Elburgon sub-County Hospital mortuary, where the body had been preserved, after receiving the news of his death.
The angry residents took the body, stashed it in a plastic bag, and carried it before dumping it outside Elburgon Police Station.
Moments later, they took the body from the police station and carried it along the Elburgon - Molo road for about five kilometres.
Police officers disperse protesters following the death of Molo-based activist Richard Otieno, popularly known as 'Molo President', on the Elburgon-Molo road in Nakuru County on 19 January 2025.
Photo credit: John Njoroge | Nation Media Group
Otieno’s remains were put on the rooftop of a private car and taken to St Joseph Hospital mortuary before the procession was thwarted by heavily armed police officers, including the GSU, who dispersed the protesters by lobbing teargas canisters.
Ms Rosalinda Wamaitha, Otieno’s lawyer, condemned the incident, saying her client had claimed his life was in danger before his death.
“During the anti-government protests, my client called me saying that all was not well,” said the lawyer.
"At one time he was attacked and was injured on the head and was admitted to hospital. I demand justice for my client.”
Molo MP Kimani Kuria addressing the media at his office in Nairobi on January 19, 2025 on the murder of activist Richard Otieno, alias Molo President.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Another resident, Mr Ng'ang'a Tetemesha, condemned the incident, saying it was sad for a young man to die while fighting for Kenyans’ rights.
"There have been a series of killings in the area. The government should expedite investigations before another resident is killed," said Mr Ng'ang'a.
Traffic along Elburgon-Njoro road was paralysed for hours as protesters lit bonfires and blocked the road with stones.
During the protest, a Standard Media Group journalist Daniel Chege was assaulted by GSU officers with a baton while covering the protest.
"My shirt was ripped off by one of the GSU officers when he noticed I was recording the protest,” said Mr Chege.
Meanwhile, area MP Francis Kuria Kimani condemned the murder of Otieno and urged the residents to remain calm as police investigate the murder.
“I urge the residents of Molo to act with restraint, and civility and give investigative bodies time to conduct investigations into this heinous crime,” said Mr Kimani.
