The body of slain political activist Richard Otieno was discovered on Sunday night in a thicket near the Molo River in Turi and has since been transferred to the Kericho County Referral Hospital morgue.
The gruesome discovery followed an earlier incident when an enraged mob stormed the Elburgon morgue, where the body had initially been stored after it was found at the gate of Elburgon police station.
In their protest, the crowd forcefully removed the body and marched towards Molo, condemning Otieno’s mysterious murder.
Along their way, the protesters barricaded the Molo-Elburgon-Nakuru road with stones and set bonfires, heading towards the home of Molo MP Kuria Kimani.
However, police swiftly intervened, blocking access to the MP’s residence.
According to Molo Sub-county Police Commander Timon Odingo, the body was eventually located with the help of sniffer dogs, and officers transported it to the neighboring Kericho County to prevent any further public interference.
Otieno, a vocal critic of both the national government and local leadership under MP Kimani, had previously been involved in youth-led protests in Molo last year, where he was arrested for his role in the demonstrations.
His murder has drawn widespread condemnation, including from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who described it as a “pathetic and archaic strategy to silence government critics.”
The killing has sparked outrage in the local community, with residents pledging to continue their demonstrations until those responsible for Otieno’s death are brought to justice.
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