Molo MP Kimani Kuria has issued a statement following the tragic death of youth leader and community mobilizer, Richard Otieno, who was found dead outside the gate to his rented apartment.
In a statement on Sunday, January 19, the lawmaker expressed shock and grief over Otieno’s demise, describing him as a trailblazer and advocate for the youth, women, and the less privileged in society.
"I have known Raymond throughout my political career and he has been a true champion on issues affecting the youth, women, and less privileged in the society. His contributions to the sociopolitical welfare of the community living within the larger Molo Constituency and Nakuru County by extension, have been profound and have impacted on many lives.
"Unfortunately, the cruel hand of death has robbed us of one of Molo’s true sons whose bravery, steadfastness, and courage even in times of adversity shall be missed by all those whose lives he touched in one way or another," the MP said in a statement.
Kuria highlighted the need for urgent investigations into the case, calling for calm from the public as authorities work to uncover the truth behind the incident.
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"In this regard, I have been in contact with the Rift Valley Regional Criminal Investigations Officer, the Nakuru County, and Molo security teams and demanded expeditious investigations into this matter.
"I therefore urge all of us to remain calm and give our investigative bodies time to conduct their investigations and bring the perpetrators to book," the MP added.
According to reports, Otieno was brutally murdered on Saturday night, January 18, near his residence by assailants armed with an axe.
In response to his death, hundreds of residents took to the streets on Sunday morning demanding justice for the mobilizer.
The protesters stormed the mortuary where Otieno's body was held, retrieved it, and marched through Elburgon town, bringing business activities to a standstill.
They expressed frustration over perceived police inaction and rising insecurity in the area.
Otieno was a vocal critic of the government and area MP Kimani Kuria, accusing them of failing to fulfill campaign promises.
He had previously vied for the Elburgon MCA seat in 2022 and was among those arrested during the Gen Z protests in Molo for allegedly leading demonstrations.
Residents reported that Otieno had received threats in recent months due to his outspoken stance on governance and social justice issues.
