A man accused of killing Ohangla dancer Sheila Odoyo, alias Sheila Wegesha, will remain in police custody for another seven days as detectives seek to complete investigations into the 2024 killing.
Mavoko Principal Magistrate Martha Nanzushi on Tuesday granted detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Athi River more time to hold Jackson Otieno Bambo, alias James Babu Olang, who was arrested in Tanzania after a two-year manhunt.
Bambo, Sheila’s husband, is suspected of killing her at their home in Hill View Estate, Athi River, on May 9, 2024.
The investigating officer told the court that detectives were yet to complete several critical aspects of the probe, including obtaining and analysing forensic evidence and securing the postmortem report.
Police also want to record statements from key witnesses, including family members, verify the authenticity of a Tanzanian national identity card found on the suspect and obtain records of cross-border cooperation from Tanzanian authorities.
The officer further told the court that Bambo needed to undergo a mental assessment at Machakos Level 5 Hospital.
Detectives argued that he was a flight risk, having allegedly fled Kenya for two years and established a club in Kirongwe, Shirati District, Tanzania, about 70 kilometres from the Muhuru border.
The court also heard that investigators were yet to recover and examine his mobile phone, whose signal was last traced in Narok County shortly after the murder.
The defence did not oppose the application.
In her ruling, Nanzushi said the prosecution had demonstrated compelling reasons to continue holding the suspect and granted the seven-day detention request.
Bambo remains in custody at Athi River Police Station. The matter will be mentioned on November 4, 2026, when he is expected to take a plea at the Machakos High Court.
Two-year manhunt
Bambo was arrested on October 24, 2026, in a joint operation involving Athi River DCI detectives, Nyatike officers and Tanzanian law enforcement officers.
According to the DCI, detectives pursued leads for nearly two years before intelligence placed him in Kirongwe, where he was reportedly living while running a club.
At the time of his arrest, he was found with a Tanzanian national identity card bearing the name James Babu Olang, police said.
Investigators also said he had remarried and was building a house in Tanzania.
He was initially booked at Nyatike Police Station before being transferred to Athi River as preparations for his murder arraignment continued.
Sheila’s killing
Sheila, 38, was found dead inside her house at Hill View Estate on the afternoon of May 9, 2024.
Her 18-year-old daughter discovered her body on a blood-soaked bed while serving lunch. Sheila had deep cuts to her throat and neck.
A postmortem examination established that she died from excessive blood loss caused by sharp-force trauma to the neck.
Police investigations established that Bambo left the house at around 1 am in the family’s Mitsubishi Outlander and drove to Nairobi’s central business district, where he allegedly abandoned the vehicle near Kencom at about 2.30 am.
He reportedly paid a guard about Sh450 for parking, left the keys and three bags inside the vehicle, then walked towards Afya Centre.
His phone signal was last recorded in Narok County at about 6.26 am before the device went off. The murder weapon was not recovered, and police reported no signs of forced entry.
Sheila was a familiar face in Nairobi’s Ohangla music scene and a businesswoman linked to JB Lounge in Umoja.
She had been married under Luo custom to police sergeant Samwel Odoyo. The couple separated around 2017 after about 17 years together and having three children but continued co-parenting.
After the separation, Sheila lived with Bambo. They had one child together, although Bambo had not completed traditional marriage rites, according to the account provided.
Sheila was buried on May 29, 2024, at Odoyo’s home in Nyalkinyi village, Kanyada, Homa Bay County. Under Luo custom, she was returned to the man who had paid the dowry.
