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Wells Fargo manager killers switched off dash camera

Two men who dumped the car in Sabatia, a few kilometres away from where the body was found wore caps.

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by CYRUS OMBATI

News24 October 2024 - 09:37

In Summary


  • Detectives say preliminary findings show whereas Ayieko’s four-wheel drive car had a working dash camera, it was switched off.
  • This, according to police shows those who took him were aware of the camera and made efforts to disable it or hide their identities.

A composite image of murdered Wells Fargo manager Willis Ayieko and his car. IMAGE: HANDOUT

 The people who hijacked and later murdered Wells Fargo Human Resource manager Willis Ayieko tried to hide their identities.

Detectives say preliminary findings show whereas Ayieko’s four-wheel drive car had a working dash camera, it was switched off or disabled on Friday, October 18, night.

This, according to police shows those who took him were aware of the camera and made efforts to disable it or hide their identities.

Two men who dumped the car in Sabatia, a few kilometres away from where the body was found wore caps and never raised their heads while leaving at the scene.

They parked the car next to a petrol station and opened its bonnet to suggest there was a mechanical problem before walking away carrying a bag.

The bag is believed to have been containing Ayieko’s personal belongings and other valuables.

His friends who were last with him said he insisted on leaving a funeral vigil he was in Gem.

The friends had suggested they leave in a convoy but he changed his mind and decided to leave ahead of them on Friday, October 18.

That was the last time he was seen.

A team of detectives left DCI headquarters to join those on the ground in the probe.

The team said they believe Ayieko was trailed from Nairobi to Gem in Siaya where he was hijacked and later murdered.

His mobile phone was being switched on and off until Sunday, October 20 in the afternoon, police say. It is not clear who had it.

The team is also investigating if Ayieko’s bank accounts were affected in the period he was missing or preceding his death.

According to police, they will seek to talk to his colleagues as part of the probe into the murder.

The motive behind the brutal murder is yet to be known but officials say it indicates vengeance.

He was a licensed gun holder. His pistol with 14 bullets was among the valuables stolen from him.

The body was discovered in the Mungowere stream in Yala, Siaya County on October 23 at 2pm.

The family had reported he was missing on Monday, October 21. Police said the body was decomposed when a student discovered it.

It had bruises on the face and stomach indicating it was dragged on a rough surface.

The body was half-naked and seemed to have been tortured elsewhere before being dumped at the scene.

Ayieko went missing last Friday, October 18 after attending a burial vigil event in Gem, Siaya County.

He had stayed until about 10 pm before he left the funeral never to be seen again.

His friends said Ayieko was expected to attend another event in Kakamega on Saturday, October 19, but he never arrived.

The body is lying at the Siaya mortuary pending autopsy and other investigations. The investigating team plans to revisit the places he was before he died.

His family and friends are meeting at his Kahawa Sukari residence to plan his funeral even as the probe goes on.


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