The family of prominent Molo activist Richard Otieno, who was brutally murdered by unknown assailants on Saturday, January 19, has alleged that his death was linked to his vocal criticism of the government and local leadership.
In an emotional interview, Otieno’s wife, Margaret Mwihaki, revealed that her husband had expressed fears for his life just days before his death. Mwihaki recounted a chilling encounter last Thursday when Otieno claimed he was being followed by three suspicious individuals. This incident came just weeks after he survived an attack in November 2024, which he believed was orchestrated by individuals connected to a local politician. The matter is still pending in court.
On the fateful Saturday night, Mwihaki described their final moments together. “He had called to tell me that he was coming home and asked me to open the gate. When I went, I found the gate already open and returned to the house. Minutes later, I heard someone screaming. It was Richard. He was lying on the ground with deep cuts on his head,” she tearfully recounted. Otieno succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
The activist’s troubles reportedly began in June 2024 during anti-government protests. He was arrested for allegedly being part of a group that attacked the home of Molo MP Kuria Kimani, though he was later released. Following his release, Otieno received numerous death threats, according to the family lawyer, Roselinda Wamaitha, who confirmed that some of the threats were documented and included specific names of individuals.
Otieno’s sister, Roseline Atieno, made a passionate plea for justice, saying, “We are hurting and pleading for justice so that no other young man has to endure what he did.”
The family has accused local police of being slow to act on the case. In response to the outcry, homicide detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in Nairobi have taken over the investigation, which has sparked national attention.
In a dramatic development on Sunday, residents transferred Otieno’s body from Elburgon Nyayo Hospital to Kericho Level 5 Hospital mortuary, demanding transparency in the post-mortem and investigation.
The murder has ignited widespread condemnation and raised concerns about the safety of activists in Kenya. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua weighed in on Monday, January 20, calling for swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“The Government of Kenya cannot afford to sit on the fence on this matter,” Gachagua said, criticizing the administration’s silence. He described Otieno’s death as a tragic escalation of efforts to suppress dissent, calling for tolerance and justice. “As we mourn the death of this promising young man, a human rights defender and champion, we demand that his killers be brought to book,” he asserted.
Gachagua also decried what he called a “pathetic and archaic strategy” of silencing government critics through violence, adding, “How can a great nation like Kenya slip into the trenches of a failed state where children and women have no breathing space?”
As the investigation unfolds, Otieno’s death continues to send shockwaves across the country, with many calling for accountability and stronger protections for activists.
