Five suspects were formally charged with the murder of Richard Otieno, a well-known local blogger and political activist, on Thursday at the Nakuru High Court.
Otieno, also known as "Molo President," was killed at his Elburgon home on January 18, 2025.
The accused, Peter Okech, Joseph Kihara, Evans Aseka, Geoffrey Ndung’u, and Stephen Masheti each pleaded not guilty to the charge before Lady Justice Patricia Gichohi.
The murder occurred when the suspects allegedly ambushed Otieno as he was returning home from a popular entertainment spot in the area.
In connection with the crime, new details have emerged linking one of the accused, Stephen Masheti, to a notorious criminal gang operating along the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway.
Masheti, a Tanzanian national, is reportedly the leader of the 'Katahema' gang, a group known for hijacking transit vehicles and robbing passengers.
The gang is active in Molo Town and its surrounding areas. During court proceedings, police presented this information as they opposed the suspects’ release on bail.
Prosecutor Emma Okok argued that granting bail would put the suspects at risk, potentially lead to them fleeing, and increase the likelihood of interfering with witnesses.
An affidavit filed by Inspector Patrick Wachira revealed that Masheti had been arrested on February 14 at the Isebania One Stop Border Post, after a joint operation between Kenyan and Tanzanian authorities.
Masheti had allegedly fled to Tanzania after the murder, hiding with relatives. Authorities are also investigating how he obtained a Kenyan identity card, which he used to cross the border undetected.
"The accused person is the ringleader of the 'Katahema' criminal gang that operates within Molo Town and along Nakuru-Eldoret highway and its environs, where the gang breaks into transit vehicles and robs passengers, stealing valuables," the affidavit states.
Masheti is said to have three mobile phone numbers registered under different names, which has made it difficult for authorities to trace his movements.
Investigators are still pursuing other individuals connected to the murder, including the person believed to be directly responsible for carrying out the killing.
This individual is thought to be outside the court’s jurisdiction and is believed to hold considerable influence over the accused men. The case will be mentioned again on March 27, 2025.