Gunfire erupted in Siaya County on Wednesday morning as police engaged in a high-stakes chase with suspects connected to the murder of Wells Fargo HR Manager Willis Ayieko.
The confrontation began when a woman, accompanied by her boyfriend, ignored police orders to stop their saloon car, triggering a gunfight that ultimately left the boyfriend injured and fleeing on foot.
During the clash, police recovered a firearm loaded with 14 rounds of ammunition.
The weapon is believed to have belonged to Ayieko, stolen on October 23, the day of his murder.
“The man managed to escape but with life-threatening injuries. Police are still pursuing him,” an officer reported to Nation.
This arrest follows the detention of another key suspect, Victor Ouma Okoth, who was apprehended on Tuesday in his recently rented single-room residence in Dandora Phase IV, Embakasi North, Nairobi County.
Okoth is suspected to have played a major role in Ayieko’s murder, with forensic evidence placing him at the crime scene. Ayieko’s body was discovered on October 23, three days after he was reported missing.
According to reports, Okoth arrived in Nairobi on October 25 in search of housing, eventually securing a room in Dandora.
The caretaker recounted that Okoth introduced himself as a teacher named “John” to avoid detection.
Following negotiations, Okoth agreed to a monthly rent of Ksh 5,550, initially paying Ksh 750 for the remaining days of October, along with Ksh 4,000 for the first month and an additional Ksh 800 as a water deposit.
Once settled, Okoth purchased furniture and electronics, filling his room with items including a three-seater sofa, a bed, a table, a television, and a subwoofer, visible through an uncovered window. Additionally, the room held a purple suitcase packed with clothes and two pairs of new shoes. When detectives detained him, they discovered a substantial amount of cash, which they confiscated for further investigation.
The forensic-led investigation, conducted by a joint team from DCI’s Homicide, Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB), and Operations units, has linked Okoth and his associates to suspicious withdrawals from Ayieko’s M-Pesa account following his murder. Two individuals have been questioned so far in connection to the case.
A postmortem on Ayieko’s body confirmed he died from severe head injuries. Meanwhile, Okoth remains in custody at Muthaiga Police Station as investigators work tirelessly to uncover the full details surrounding Ayieko’s tragic death.
