Who wanted generous Willis Ayieko dead and why?

Wells Fargo HR Manager Willis Ayieko's body was discovered in the Mungowere stream in Yala, Siaya county on October 23 at 2pm after missing for five days. [Courtesy]

Slain Wells Fargo Human Resource Manager Willis Ayieko, was a lifeline for many, known for his philanthropy and kind character.

He was also at the centre of an investigation of a high-profile heist involving Sh94 million allegedly stolen by the security firm employees. The money, belonging to Quickmart Supermarket, was to be transported to Family Bank.

Ayieko’s generosity included helping people pay school fees and other needs. Although approached to join politics multiple times, he declined every offer. Siaya Governor James Orengo expressed shock over Ayieko’s abduction and murder.

“A great son of Siaya and a Kenyan patriot, a gentleman par excellence,” Orengo stated, extending condolences to Ayieko’s family. “I pray that the Almighty gives you strength to bear this tragic loss,” he wrote on X.

Ayieko’s cousin, Engineer Julius Oluoch, recounted their plan to fly together from Nairobi to Kisumu. However, they were delayed as Oluoch arrived late.

“His car was in Kisumu, and I was to go with him, but he left me behind and flew later,” Oluoch explained.

On Friday, Ayieko attended a funeral in Gem and intended to return to Kakamega for a family gathering.

When he didn’t arrive, his family grew concerned, fearing trouble on the road. His abandoned Ford Ranger  was later found at a petrol station in Sabatia, Vihiga County, far from where his body was ultimately retrieved.

Police were alerted when his body, handcuffed, was found near a stream. Siaya Sub-County Police Commander Charles Wafula said: “Investigations are underway to determine the circumstances of his death.”

CCTV footage showed two men parking Ayieko’s before fleeing. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations announced on Tuesday morning that one suspect linked to the gruesome murder had been arrested.

The suspect, Victor Ouma Okoth, was flushed out of his hideout in Nairobi's Dandora Phase IV.

“The suspect (being held at Muthaiga Police Station) was placed at the scene of crime through forensic analysis, being conducted by a joint team of DCI's Homicide, CRIB and Operations detectives,” the DCI said.

Willis Ayieko was at the centre of an investigation of a high-profile heist involving Sh94 million allegedly stolen by the security firm employees.

Chief Government Pathologist Dr Johansen Oduor, who conducted the postmortem at Lee Funeral Home, said yesterday that Ayieko died from severe head trauma, with bruises on the head, bleeding in the brain, and missing tissue around the lips, ears, cheeks, and chest. Marks on his wrists were likely from handcuffs, and his body had significant bruising on the knees and lower limbs, complicating the investigation.

Security consultant George Musamali dismissed possibility of a random robbery, suggesting Ayieko’s murder was meticulously planned. “The handcuffs alone point to an organised act. This was a targeted killing,” Musamali said, indicating that Ayieko’s involvement in both the Wells Fargo heist and local political matters should be examined.

In the Wells Fargo investigation, detectives recovered Sh9.1 million of the Sh94.9 million, which Quickmart reported as missing.

Detectives have arrested four suspects, including Ismael Patrick Gitonga, who was detained in Rongai as the suspected driver of a vehicle believed to have transported the cash.

The vehicle was tracked to Njiru in Kayole, where two other suspects, Michael Matolo Njeru and Samwel Onyango, were caught modifying it. Another suspect, Martin Nderi Nganga, was arrested in Kasarani, where KSh9.1 million was recovered from his home.

Quickmart filed a case against Wells Fargo, eight months ago, accusing the security firm of breach of contract. The supermarket claimed Wells Fargo was contracted to handle cash transit with care but allegedly consolidated the entire KSh94.9 million into a single vehicle against the set cash box cap of KSh20 million.

Friends and relatives shared that Ayieko was once considered a potential running mate for Opiyo Wandayi in Siaya’s governorship bid. Later, he was invited by local leaders to be Deputy Governor under Governor James Orengo due to tensions with current DG William Oduol.

In Ayieko’s circle, he was often described as a committed family man and a friend to all. His wife, Esther, and his three children are now left with a tragic loss. Oluoch and other friends continue to demand justice, hoping that Ayieko’s killers will be brought to justice.