Police have arrested one more person of interest in connection with the murder of Wells Fargo Human Resource Manager Willis Ayieko.
In a statement on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the person of interest, Fredrick Otieno Omondi, could have played a significant role in the events leading to the brutal murder of Ayieko.
“Detectives have made an additional arrest in the ongoing investigation into the murder of Willis Ayieko Onyango, a former Human Resource Manager at Wells Fargo. The suspect, Fredrick Otieno Omondi, was apprehended in Kisumu and is believed to have played a significant role in the events preceding this tragic incident,” DCI stated.
“Omondi, a motorcycle rider, is alleged to have provided transport for Victor Ouma, also known as Sisco, to the location where Onyango was abducted.”
Victor Ouma Okoth is currently in police custody and has been linked to the crime, alongside his deceased brother, Robert Wakolo Okoth, as well as other yet-to-be-identified individuals.
“The investigation is ongoing, with the DCI actively pursuing several leads to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding Onyango’s murder,” DCI added.
This comes days after police neutralized Wakolo at his hideout in Kisumu after a fierce exchange of fire.
Wakolo, who had earlier escaped a police dragnet leaving behind a rolling vehicle and a seriously injured female passenger (who died later), was fatally injured in an effort to subdue him.
A firearm with three live rounds among other items was recovered from him.
The other suspect, Ouma, was arrested in Nairobi’s Dandora Phase IV.
“One suspect linked to the gruesome murder of the late Mr Willis Onyango Ayieko, former Human Resource Manager at Wells Fargo, has been arrested. The suspect identified as Victor Ouma Okoth was flushed out of his hideout in Nairobi’s Dandora Phase IV last night, where he had rented a house using proceeds of the heinous crime,” DCI stated.
According to the DCI, Okoth, who is being held at Muthaiga Police Station, was placed at the crime scene through forensic analysis, in the forensic-led investigation conducted by a joint team of DCI’s Homicide, CRIB and Operations detectives.
“The investigation is ongoing with the team analyzing crucial leads to uncover and arrest other accomplices,” DCI added.
Ayieko found dead
Ayieko’s body was discovered on October 23, 2024, days after he was reported missing on October 21, 2024.
The deceased was last spotted alive at a funeral in Gem, Siaya County on Friday, October 18, 2024, this was before he left for his home in Kakamega where he was supposed to attend a family event the next day.
His vehicle was later discovered abandoned in Sabatia, Vihiga County.
“We received a call from members of the public who alerted us to a body near a stream in Yala. Upon arrival, we found the deceased handcuffed, which immediately raised suspicions of a criminal act. Investigations are underway to establish the circumstances of his death,” Siaya Sub-County Police Commander Charles Wafula said.
“CCTV footage from the petrol station shows two men parking the vehicle before fleeing the scene. We are analyzing the footage and working with our colleagues in Vihiga to identify the suspects,” Wafula added.