Rider in murder of Wells Fargo manager detained

Odhiambo was arrested by police in Kisumu after he was linked to the suspects who are believed to have executed the gruesome murder.

The prosecution requested the Magistrate’s Court to allow them to hold the suspect as the police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) continue with the probe.

Wambani granted the prayers and ordered that the suspect, who is the fifth in the murder case, be remanded at the Railway Police Station in Kisumu.

She directed that the suspect be subjected to a mental assessment test, adding that the investigating officers are also granted an opportunity to conduct a forensic examination on his two mobile phones.

The suspect was apprehended in Kisumu and is believed to have played a significant role in the events preceding this tragic incident, police said.

He is alleged to have provided transport for Victor Ouma, also known as Sisco, to the location where Ayieko was abducted, investigations have shown.

Victor Ouma Okoth is currently in police custody and has been linked to the crime, alongside his deceased brother, Robert Wakolo Okoth, as well as other yet-to-be-identified individuals.

The rider told police he picked Ouma from Kisumu and took him to the Gem area where Ayieko was being held by his brother the late Wakolo and other suspects.

Ouma later walked out of the room with a Samsung mobile phone believed to belong to Ayieko.

They made trips to and from various Mpesa dealers and banks for withdrawals.

He told police Ouma was wearing a blue jacket at the time of the incident.

The same jacket was captured on various CCTV footage captured at the withdrawal areas.

The investigation is ongoing, with the DCI actively pursuing several leads to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the murder.

Police say the late Wakolo had been involved in several violent robberies, including the fatal shooting of a female Mpesa agent in Kisumu on January 27, 2024.

The father of the slain suspect who positively identified the body at the mortuary told the detectives that the son’s real name is Robert Wakolo Okoth.

He added that his alias names, based on who asked, were George Oduor Okoth and Kim.

“A national ID card retrieved from a police exhibit store for wanted criminals earlier seized during a security operation, and a report obtained from the National Registration Bureau (NRB) confirmed the father's claim,” the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said.

Okoth was shot dead in a security operation and a firearm, a Smith and Walter pistol, was recovered from him.

He had earlier escaped a police dragnet leaving behind a rolling vehicle and a seriously injured female passenger, who later died, was fatally injured in an effort to subdue him.

Police said the suspect hailed from the Rai area of Nyamasaria in Kisumu County.

Detectives who had been profiling the hitherto unidentified robbery suspect linked the 34-year-old to a series of violent attacks.

Wakolo shot dead Mpesa agent Grace Awino Odera on January 27 at Kibuye market near Hekima School in Lolwe.

In the incident, one suspect was arrested, and an AK 47 rifle earlier robbed from a Ugandan police officer was recovered.

Also recovered was a Toyota Axio used by the suspects in the robbery.

Robert Wakolo, however, managed to get away.

On May 3, 2024, detectives raided Robert's home in Nyamasaria, recovering another AK 47 rifle, a magazine and 36 live rounds of ammunition. Although he managed to escape, his 17-year-old younger brother and suspected accomplice were arrested and charged.

Wakolo was also wanted by Kondele police for robbery with violence and possessing a magazine and ammunition.