Woman arrested, 'boyfriend' escapes in hunt for Ayieko killers

The late Wells Fargo Human Resources Manager Willis Ayieko. [Courtesy]

Detectives have arrested a second suspect in connection with the abduction and killing of Wells Fargo Human Resources Manager Willis Ayieko.

The woman is said to have been arrested near Siaya town following a gunfight during which Ayieko’s stolen firearm was reportedly recovered from her.

A man said to be her boyfriend and also believed to be a prime suspect escaped with gunshot wounds, according to police.

Meanwhile, Siaya magistrate court Wednesday allowed the police to hold another suspect, Victor Ouma Okoth, for 21 days pending further investigation. Okoth will undergo a medical assessment before his arraignment on November 21.

In the dramatic arrest Wednesday, police say they intercepted the suspects in a car. Blood traces at the scene indicated the missing suspect was injured, with the police appealing to the residents and medical facilities to report any patient with gunshot wounds.

Roadblocks have been erected around Siaya Town to help locate him.

Okoth was apprehended on Tuesday in Dandora, Nairobi, where he was reportedly hiding. He allegedly used money obtained from the crime to rent a house and furnish it.

He was detained at the Muthaiga Police Station before being transported to Siaya, where the court allowed police to detain him for 30 days.

The magistrate, Jacob Mkala, also allowed the investigators to subject the respondent’s cell phone to forensic examination.

Noting the gravity of the case, the court also directed Airtel Kenya to provide subscriber information to the investigating officer.

“The suspect was placed at the crime scene through forensic analysis,” said the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), noting that the investigation was led by a joint team from its Homicide, Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, and Operations units.

According to the authorities, forensic analysis linked the prime suspect, who they say has had a criminal history in Khwisero, to Ayieko’s murder, indicating he used his phone to withdraw money from an M-Pesa outlet.

“The investigation is ongoing, with the team analysing crucial leads to uncover and arrest other accomplices,” the DCI stated.

Ayieko had attended a funeral in Gem on Friday and was expected to return to Kakamega. When he didn’t arrive home, his family grew concerned, fearing he might have encountered trouble on the road. His abandoned Ford Ranger vehicle was later found at a petrol station in Sabatia, Vihiga county, far from where his body was ultimately discovered.

Police were alerted when his handcuffed body was found near a stream.

“Upon arrival, we found the deceased handcuffed, which immediately raised suspicions of a criminal act. Investigations are underway to determine the circumstances of his death,” said Siaya Sub-County Police Commander Charles Wafula.

CCTV footage showed two men parking Ayieko’s vehicle at the petrol station before fleeing. His body was moved to the Aga Khan Hospital mortuary where an autopsy was conducted.

Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor reported that Ayieko died from severe head trauma, with injuries to his head and missing tissue from his face and chest. Wrist markings confirmed he had been handcuffed, and had extensive bruising on his knees and legs.