Sixth suspect in Richard Otieno's murder arrested while fleeing to Tanzania

A suspect in the murder of Richard Otieno alias "The Molo president" has been arraigned in court, bringing the number of suspects in custody to six.

In an affidavit filed in court, investigating officer Patrick Wachira said Stephen Masheti Musodo alias Machete was arrested in Sirare in Tanzania while trying to go into hiding and was lawfully taken into custody at Isebania Police Station.

"At the time of his arrest, Stephen Masheti was found in possession of a temporary border pass stamped at One Stop Border Post Office at Isebania on 11/02/2025 belonging to him among other personal belongings and food items," read part of the document.

Mr Wachira noted that Stephen Masheti confirmed that he had a nuclear family living in Tanzania and that was where he was going, but that he had been a resident of Molo town in Nakuru County since childhood and had fled from there after the January 19 incident.

"The police recovered a mobile phone with Airtel numbers used to communicate with two other suspects already in hiding in Tanzania, which the investigation team strongly believes was used to facilitate his escape," said the investigating officer.

The affidavit states that Stephen Masheti was captured on CCTV footage with other suspects meeting to set up an ambush before the attack on the victim.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigation sought permission to remand the suspects in custody for a period of 10 days to allow for the completion of investigations.

Principal Magistrate Vincent Adet ordered that Stephen Maseti be remanded in custody for a period of 10 days to allow for the completion of investigations.

The matter will come up for further orders on 24 February.