A two-year manhunt for the man suspected of murdering popular Ohangla dancer Sheila Odoyo, alias Sheila Wegesha, has ended with his arrest in Tanzania. This followed a joint operation by Kenyan and Tanzanian law enforcement agencies.
The suspect, identified as Jackson Otieno Bambo, also known as James Babu Olang, is the deceased’s husband and was arrested in Kirongwe, Shirati District, where he was reportedly operating a club about 70 kilometres from the Muhuru border point.
Husband flees after popular Ohangla dancer Sheila 'Wegesha' Odoyo found murdered in her home
Ms Odoyo, 38, was found murdered in her matrimonial home in Hill View Estate, Athi River, Machakos County, on May 9, 2024, with a deep cut on her throat.
“Her killing triggered investigations by detectives, who initially treated her husband as a person of interest before the search for him led investigators across the border into Tanzania,” part of the statement from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
According to DCI, intelligence placed the suspect in Kirongwe, prompting detectives from Athi River to coordinate with officers from Nyatike and their Tanzanian counterparts in a joint operation that culminated in his arrest.
At the time of his arrest, Mr Bambo was reportedly found in possession of a Tanzanian national identity card bearing the name James Babu Olang. Investigators are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the document as the case progresses.
He was first booked at Nyatike Police Station before being transferred to Athi River Police Station, where he remains in custody pending his arraignment.
Slain Ohangla dancer Sheila Odoyo, alias Sheila Wegesha.
Photo credit: Pool
On May 10, 2024, Ms Odoyo’s body was discovered in her matrimonial bedroom, lying on a bed with blood on the mattress and a deep cut on her throat.
Her daughter, Linda Okinyi, reportedly told DCI officers that she learnt of her mother’s death on the afternoon of May 9, when she went to serve her lunch.
She told detectives her father had left home at about 1 am that night, driving a Mitsubishi Outlander, without explaining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Slain Ohangla dancer Sheila Odoyo, alias Sheila Wegesha.
Photo credit: Pool
At the time, police were investigating the killing and seeking to establish the motive and identify the perpetrator.
A detective familiar with the investigation at the time told the Nation in May 2024 that the husband was a person of interest because he was reportedly at the home on the night the murder was believed to have occurred.
“There were signs of commotion in the bedroom. We are treating the husband as a person of interest. We are yet to recover the murder weapon,” the detective was quoted as saying.
The remarks reflected the initial stage of the investigation and preceded the suspect’s reported arrest in Tanzania. The allegations against him remain subject to proof in court.
Ms Odoyo was known to fans as Sheila Wegesha and was popular in Nairobi and surrounding areas for her performances in Ohangla dance clubs.
She was also reported to have owned JB Lounge, a pub and liqour store in Umoja Estate, which she ran with assistance from her husband.
Following her death, social media platforms were flooded with photographs of the couple taken during happier moments, as fans mourned the dancer.
A neighbour who spoke to the Nation shortly after the killing described the tragedy as a devastating end to a relationship that, like many marriages, had its difficulties.
“Every marriage has its own ups and downs. It is unfortunate it ended tragically,” the neighbour said at the time.
Sheila Odoyo who was found murdered in her matrimonial home in Hill View Estate, Athi River, Machakos County, on May 9, 2024.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
The comments offered a glimpse into the couple’s private life, although they did not establish the circumstances or motive of the killing.
The suspect’s arrest in Tanzania marks a significant development in a case that remained under investigation after Ms Odoyo's death in May 2024.
