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‘Molo President’ death: Five to be charged with Richard Otieno's murder as four turn State witnesses
Molo-based activist Richard Otieno, popularly known as 'Molo President', who was killed on Saturday night.
Five men are set to be charged with the murder of activist Richard Otieno alias ‘Molo President’ after police investigations linked them to the crime.
Peter Okech, Joseph Kihara, Evans Aseka, Geoffrey Ndung’u and Stephen Masheti are among nine individuals initially arrested in connection with the brutal killing of Otieno at his home in Elburgon, Nakuru County.
However, four other suspects—Clinton Simantu, Jorim Ngong’a, Peter Mwaniki and John Ndegwa—were released on Thursday after police failed to find sufficient evidence against them.
State Counsel Emma Okok stated that they would instead serve as state witnesses.
Appearing before Principal Magistrate Kipkurui Kibelion, the prosecution confirmed that police have completed their investigation and requested to close the miscellaneous file.
Suspects in the murder of Richard Otieno, who was popularly known as ‘Molo President’, being escorted to the Nakuru Law Courts on February 24, 2025.
The five suspects will now be arraigned before the High Court to plead to murder charges.
The suspects were arrested on separate dates in February after detectives secured court orders to hold them for further investigations.
According to police findings, they were allegedly paid by an unknown individual to eliminate Otieno, a vocal critic of the local leadership.
Mastermind
Investigators identified Okech as the mastermind behind the plot. They allege he is the one who received the kill contract before recruiting his accomplices.
CCTV footage captured Okech and Kihara allegedly planning an ambush in Molo before the attack.
After the murder, the trio reportedly fled to Tanzania where they were hosted by extended family members before later returning to Kenya.
The case now moves to the High Court, where the suspects are expected to take plea.