When Richard Otieno completed his diploma at Molo Technical and Vocational College, he aimed to invest his time and energy in social work.
His passion for a just society was not a coincidence as he came to Elburgon in 1993 after the fractious 1992 tribal clashes that disrupted the coexistence of communities in the cosmopolitan region.
"My parents moved to Elburgon in 1993 when my late brother was one year old and joined Class One at PCEA Primary School in Elburgon,” recalls a distraught Roseline Apondi, his sister.
Family of Richard Otieno, ‘The president of Molo’, demands justice after his murder
Born in Ololong'oi village, Narok County in December 1992, Otieno grew up witnessing firsthand the injustices meted out to the locals who were not politically aligned with the government of the day.
After graduating with a diploma in social work and community development, the seventh-born son of Apollo Otieno and Salome Juma immersed himself in the affairs of the local community.
He made other people’s businesses his own, donating his time, money, experience, skills and talent to help improve the living standards of residents of Elburgon and Molo.
Through his friends on social media, he raised funds to help needy children get a chance at an education.
His mastery of the local Kikuyu language endeared him to the community and during public meetings, he delivered his message in the local language— attracting many admirers.
His philanthropic gestures endeared him to the community, which saw him nicknamed “The president of Molo”.
His family and friends say Otieno developed a big heart for the community after well-wishers came through for him during times of need as a child.
He grew up in hardship and his hopes of joining Form One after Standard Eight were almost dashed when his parents failed to raise fees.
“I volunteered to take him to secondary school in Nairobi but it was not a walk in the park to raise school fees. I used to send him home in Elburgon to work as a casual labourer during school holidays,” his mother Salome Juma said on Monday.
A similar fate would befall the young Otieno after completing high school. But as luck would have it, Molo MP Kuria Kimani sponsored his college education through the constituency bursary scheme.
After establishing a strong bond with local communities, Otieno caught the political bug and this saw him attempt to seek an elective seat in 2022.
He contested for the Elburgon ward representative post under the Usawa Party but lost. However, he had on several occasions hinted at making another attempt in 2027.
Kuria and Otieno would later part ways after the activist started fighting for the rights of the residents by posting sensitive social media posts about alleged lack of development, and involvement of the youths in crucial decision-making in the constituency.
When the local MP supported the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Otieno went public and criticised the lawmaker.
When locals raised concerns about the transition hitches that rocked the Social Health Insurance Fund (Shif) and the Social Health Authority (SHA), and the need to improve healthcare delivery, he was equally vocal.
“If this Shif and SHA are not working, it is better to maintain NHIF,” he posted on X.
Ms Juma said her son was introduced to politics by Mr Kuria, who held his hand until they parted ways.
“Politics was his cup of tea and he could not spend a day without posting updates on the trending politics of the day locally or nationally.”
Margaret Mwihaki, the wife of late Molo Human Rights Activist Richard Otieno, popularly knows the “Molo President”, points to where her husband was killed in Elburgon Town, Nakuru County, on January 20, 2025. He was killed on Saturday night by unknown people.
Photo credit: John Njoroge | Nation Media Group
On Sunday, Mr Kuria mourned Otieno as “a youth leader, trailblazer and community mobiliser”.
“I have known Raymond throughout my political career and he has been a true champion on issues affecting the youth, women and less privileged in the society. His contributions to the sociopolitical welfare of the community living within the larger Molo Constituency and Nakuru County by extension, have been profound and have impacted on many lives,” the MP posted on X.
“Unfortunately, the cruel hand of death has robbed us of one of Molo’s true sons whose bravery, steadfastness and courage even in times of adversity shall be missed by all those whose lives he touched in one way or another.”
But as he engaged in local politics, Otieno rubbed some political heavyweights the wrong way and received threats to his life which he shared on social media. His sister Roseline recalls one of the messages:
"I remember a post he shared to me of a person who had called him "maiti" (corpse) on social media," she said, adding that the family would not go ahead with funeral plans until justice is served.
She described her brother as a “jovial, courageous and dedicated family man who used to be an usher in a local church.
Otieno’s widow Margaret Mwihaki said her late husband did not reveal to her the death threats he received.
“I think my late husband did not want to stress me with a lot of political anxieties,” said the mother of two.
However, she disclosed that her late husband revealed to her last week that some unknown people were tracking his movements.
“My husband is now dead. I want justice for my husband. I want to one day tell my children what killed their beloved father who had big plans for the entire family,” said Mwihaki as tears rolled down her cheeks.
On the fateful Saturday, Ms Mwihaki, a nurse at Nakuru Level Five Hospital, said he had assured her that he would be home early.
“I will greatly miss his love and affection. He was a man who was deeply committed to his family,” she said.
On Monday, police said they were yet to arrest any suspect in connection with the murder but assured that justice would be done.
“Police are making headways in the investigation into the murder of Mr Richard Otieno, who was allegedly killed on Saturday night,” said Molo sub-County Police Commander Timon Odingo.
“We don’t want to make any speculation but the investigation will reveal who killed him and the motive behind the murder.”
"Detectives have hit the ground, we are conducting thorough investigations. So far, no suspect has been arrested but we have a lead,” he said.
“We want to conduct our investigation fully before making any arrest because we do not want to make an arrest then investigate as the 24-hour rule will catch up with us.”
According to Mr Odingo, they have since recorded statements from some witnesses.
But even as the murder of a political activist remains shrouded in mystery, police said they were not ready to reveal where they took the body after a protest rocked Elburgon township.
“We have moved the body to another mortuary for preservation. We don’t want the residents to storm and move his body again,” said the police boss.
