Editor's Review

The former football star is believed to be part of the gang that waylaid the businesswoman, robbed her of her day's proceeds and shot her dead.

A former football star has been arrested in connection with a robbery and gruesome murder incident involving a Kisumu-based business lady.

According to a statement from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the suspect is identified as Byron Billy Owuor, a former footballer for the Kisumu Allstars Club.

The 26-year-old was smoked of his hideout at Obunga in the Kasarani area of Kisumu Central by Kondele-based police.

File photo of former Kisumu All Stars Player Byron Billy Owuor. PHOTO | COURTESY

Upon arraignment at the Winam Senior Principal Magistrate's Court, detectives were granted 14 days to conclude the investigation.

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"After days of interrogation, the investigators established the identity of the ring leader as Robert Wakolo Okoth alias Michael Osama believed to be the mastermind behind the criminal operations of the syndicate," the statement read in part.

"Swinging into action, Kisumu police joined forces in a sting operation at Osama's home located in Kasagam near Rai Primary School, wherein the suspect's 17-year-old brother (also believed to be a member of the gang) was found and arrested," it added.

DCI explained that the former football star is believed to be part of the gang that waylaid the businesswoman identified as Grace Awino Adero, robbed her of her day's proceeds and shot her dead. Her husband managed to escape during the attack.

The cold-blooded killers who were believed to be members of a larger gang then escaped on an unmarked motorcycle, joining the rest of the gang at a hideout in Kasagam, Kisumu county. 

Hours later, Kasagam police on beat patrol spotted and challenged five occupants of a suspicious saloon car (KDL 301P Toyota Axio) found parked at a concealed place, but who beetled off abandoning the vehicle.

On searching it, an AK47 (without a magazine) and a homemade pistol capable of firing were discovered alongside four mobile phones.

Investigations revealed that the vehicle had been hired, and the rifle, which was analysed by ballistic experts at the DCI forensic lab, had been robbed or obtained from Uganda.