Demands for police to pull up their socks over the murder of slain Wells Fargo HR boss Willis Ayieko were among requests from various politicians who attended the burials of three prominent personalities buried in three different locations in western Kenya on Saturday.
During Mr Ayieko’s burial in Central Alego, leaders demanded that the police bring to book the key masterminds of the crime.
In Kisii, the burial of former Bonchari MP and assistant minister Zebedeo Opore was characterised by calls to President William Ruto to rescind his decision to decommission the Suneka airstrip in the constituency.
And in Kakamega, at the burial of former Harambee Stars and Gor Mahia captain Austin ‘Makamu’ Oduor, leaders called for unity between leaders from the western region while also lauding efforts made by the player to uplift soccer in the country.
At Ayieko’s funeral, Siaya Governor James Orengo urged the police to unearth the perpetrators of such heinous acts.
“There is nothing like perfect crime. Let the investigators use all the possible ways to bring the perpetrators to face the law. We want to know the people who planned it and together with those who executed the plan,” said Mr Orengo.
His Busia counterpart, Paul Otuoma, challenged the government to ensure security for all Kenyans.
“We must ensure that the entire country has security for all of us. We are championing a 24-hour economy. How will we achieve this by operating with the sun?” posed Dr Otuoma.
Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi lashed out at the police, saying they are letting the family down by doing shoddy investigations.
“This morning, I visited the regional Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Kisumu and the theories they are treating us to don’t add up. We shall accept nothing less than a conclusive investigation and solid findings into Ayieko’s murder,” said the lawmaker.
“Whatever is going on is making us suspect that there might be a bigger force stifling the investigations.”
The question that the lawmaker wants the police to answer is why only Mr Ayieko was attacked and not others at the burial venue.
“There is a pattern that we must deal with as a country. In the last regime, we saw many bodies being retrieved from the River Yala. Where do the perpetrators get the confidence to do these heinous acts? Recently we saw during the Gen Z demos people were being abducted in broad daylight, and to date over 100 people cannot be accounted for. What is happening?” he posed.
His sentiments were echoed by Rarieda lawmaker Otiende Amollo, who said Mr Ayieko’s death ought to be a re-awakening factor to the government.
Esther Wagumba, the wife of slain Wells Fargo human resource manager Willis Ayieko, during the burial service at Uhuru-Wuoroya village, Alego, Siaya County on November 09, 2024.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
“We want to know the masterminds behind the death of Ayieko. We shall not know who orchestrated the whole plan by killing the suspects. Let all the suspects be brought and questioned. They need to tell us the people who sent them,” he said.
At Mr Opore’s burial, an August 2023 announcement by President Ruto that the Suneka airstrip would be decommissioned in favour of an affordable housing project became a contentious matter.
Bonchari constituency, which Mr Opore once represented in Parliament, hosts the airstrip.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati, MPs Charles Onchoke (Bonchari), Steve Mogaka (West Mugirango), Obadiah Barongo (Bomachoge Borabu), and ex-Bobasi MP Stephen Manoti all said the move by the head of state was unpopular and it did not sit well among locals.
However, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka said: “Let us not pretend by lying to the masses here. When the President said about the decommissioning of the airstrip, I am the only one who stood to oppose him while others consented to the matter.”
At Austin Oduor’s burial, Muhoroni MP Onyango Koyoo asked for unity between the Luo and the Luhya communities if they were to benefit from the government now and in the future.
“If we are united, it will be easy to marshal votes for the President, but Dr Ruto has to give back through more opportunities,” said Mr Koyoo.
The MPs also lauded President William Ruto for signing into law the Sugar Bill, 2022. Navakholo MP Emmanuel Wangwe, the originator of the Bill, said this would ensure sugar cane farmers get justice and are paid well.
Reporting by Rushdie Oudia, Kassim Adinasi and Wycliffe Nyaberi
