Witness Reveals How He Was Paid Ksh9,000 to Aid Suspects in Willis Ayieko’s Murder
A protected witness on Monday, May 26, gave a chilling account in court of how he was unknowingly roped into the abduction and murder of Wells Fargo HR manager Willis Ayieko.
The witness revealed that he was paid Ksh9,000 by one of the accused, Victor Ouma Okoth, also known as Sisco or Govins, to ferry suspected kidnappers who later participated in Ayieko’s torture and killing.
According to the testimony, the witness was contacted by Sisco, who requested him to secure a motorcycle for what he described as a "job" organized by an individual named Champee.
“Testifying under the Witness Protection Agency program, the witness recounted how he was recruited by the first accused, Victor Ouma Okoth, alias Sisco, alias Govins, to assist in the operation that led to Ayieko’s abduction, torture, and subsequent killing," a statement from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) read.
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The witness told the court he was unaware of the true nature of the task at the time, adding that he was also instructed to fuel the motorcycle and stay ready for instructions.
“He stated that he was not told the details of the assignment, only that he would receive a good payment if he availed a motorcycle and remained on standby. The witness said Sisco assured him that all he needed to do was fuel the bike and wait for further instructions," the statement continued.
On the evening of October 18, 2024, Sisco called to confirm the motorcycle had been arranged.
After coordinating refueling and a meeting point, the witness was directed to Mutumbu Centre, where he met Sisco and two other men at Amigos Pub.
“On October 18, 2024, Sisco called to confirm whether he had secured the motorcycle. When the witness affirmed, he was instructed to meet Sisco at 5:30 PM in Dudi. Concerned about fuel, he informed Sisco that the motorcycle was empty. Sisco then told him to refuel at a local station and send him the till number so he could pay.
“After fuelling, the witness proceeded towards Dudi via the Kisian-Rabuor road. While enroute, Sisco called and redirected him to Mutumbu Centre. There, they met at Amigos Pub, where two other men were drinking. One of them, identified as Champee, was introduced as part of the group," the ODPP explained.
According to the witness, things took a darker turn when the witness was instructed to follow a motorcycle carrying Champee.
Shortly afterward, he reportedly observed the men don combat gear and wield rifles.
“Sisco instructed the witness to follow a motorcycle carrying Champee. Along the way, they stopped, and both Sisco and Champee entered a dark area. When they returned, their appearances had changed. Champee wore a U.S. military-style jacket and carried an AK-47 rifle, while Sisco donned a black jacket and also had a rifle," the statement added.
The group later arrived at a homestead where a funeral was taking place; the witness remained outside as Sisco and Champee entered.
The two men later returned in a vehicle, with Champee at the wheel.
“The group proceeded to a homestead where a funeral service was ongoing. The witness said he was told to wait outside while Sisco and Champee entered the compound. They later returned, this time in a vehicle. As the vehicle passed him, he recognized Champee in the driver's seat," the statement read.
The witness recounted how the group transported a man with a sack over his head and his hands tied to a remote mud-walled house, under heavy guard by the armed suspects.
“They drove along a murram road and stopped near a mud-walled house. The witness observed as the accused led a man, his head covered with a sack and his hands cuffed on his back, toward the house. Sisco reportedly held a gun and instructed the man to walk," the ODPP noted.
Later that night, the witness was asked to transport Sisco to Kisumu, where they searched for open M-Pesa shops.
Sisco made multiple withdrawals using a distinctive foldable phone.
“At around 11:00 PM, Sisco asked the witness to take him to Kisumu to withdraw money. They searched for open M-Pesa shops, eventually finding one where Sisco, using a stylish foldable phone, made several withdrawals," the statement further read.
By morning, Sisco was dropped off in Dudi, and the witness returned the motorcycle and went home.
“By 6:00 AM, the witness said he dropped Sisco back in Dudi before returning the motorcycle to its owner and going home to sleep, having been out all night," the ODPP detailed.
The next day, Sisco departed the area in a pickup truck, claiming to have found employment in Nairobi.
“The following day, October 19, 2024, Sisco returned in a pickup truck, collected all his belongings, and informed the witness that he had secured a job in Nairobi and was relocating," the statement concluded.
The witness insisted he had no knowledge that a murder had occurred until his arrest by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
