Five suspects arrested over the murder of Molo-based activist Richard Haga Otieno have been named.
They include bodaboda riders Clinton Simantu alias Muiru and Peter Mwaniki alias Pinchez.
The riders operate in Molo Town and are said to have ferried the hit men to and from Elburgon town on January 18 when the activist was killed.
The third suspect was named as Jorim Ngonga Sura who police said was among three attackers who killed the deceased.
The other suspects were identified as Geoffrey Mavado and John Ndegwa. The two had earlier in November 8, 2024 been arrested over the assault of Otieno and were convicted to serve one-year probation.
Police said they were all forensically placed at the scene of murder on January 18, 2025.
Otieno was murdered outside his gate in Elburgon Town on January 18, 2025 sparking violent protests in the area for days.
This forced police to move his body to Kericho Town where an autopsy was conducted amid rising tension.
Detectives from Directorate of Criminal Investigation’s Homicide and those from Crime Research & Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) joined those on the ground in the probe into the murder.
The team announced five suspects have been arrested and were on Monday February 3 expected in Nakuru Court for miscellaneous application to enable them detain them for further probe.
Director of DCI Mohamed Amin confirmed they have prime suspects in the murder of the activist.
Otieno, popularly known as the ‘Molo President,’ died from severe head injuries caused by a sharp object, likely a panga or axe, an autopsy done on the body revealed.
Government pathologist Johansen Oduor conducted the autopsy at Kericho Hospital mortuary.
Another pathologist, Dr. Titus Ngulugu, who represented the family and the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) during the procedure, confirmed the findings, describing them as accurate and thorough.
The autopsy revealed multiple slash wounds to the back and frontal areas of the skull, causing a fractured skull, extensive brain bleeding, and facial bruising..
“There were multiple slash wounds at the back of the head, which led to a fracture of the skull and excessive bleeding of the brain. There was also slashing of the frontal area, though this one didn’t fracture the skull,” said Dr. Oduor.
“There were also bruises on the face. What we found also were more bruises on the arms, which looked like someone was trying to defend themselves.”
Otieno, was attacked near his home on January 18, just 200 meters from Elburgon police station.
His wife revealed he had been receiving threats and was being trailed by unknown individuals, attributing the threats to his activism and conflicts with local politicians.
His murder sparked public outrage, with residents staging protests, blocking roads and parading his body through the streets.
The killing prompted protests in the seas with the protesters stealing his body and marching with it on the streets.
The police were forced to take the body to Kericho for preservation.
Otieno had harshly criticized the government for failing to deliver on the promises made during campaigns.
The deceased, who vied for the Elburgon MCA seat back in 2022 and lost, was among those who were arrested during the Gen Z protests in Molo, for allegedly leading protests in the area.