South B boda boda rider’s murder linked to online fraud syndicate

Murdered boda boda rider Antony Otieno may have been a victim of a group behind online fraud schemes.

A close friend of Antony's has come forward with critical information regarding the phone he was delivering to the residence where he was later killed.

The details suggest the delivery may have been a setup, potentially linked to a wider network of online fraudsters targeting unsuspecting couriers.

In the Lucky Summer neighborhood of Nairobi, Antony's family is mourning his death. He was killed a few days ago in South B after delivering a package.

His widow, who ran an online electronics business with her husband, recounts what transpired.

"Client alikuwa ameniambia anaitwa Grace akacall Hillary akamwambia Hillary kuna iPhone imekuwa ordered by Grace na amesema nikuletee so kama unaweza niambia ni South B wapi exactly nakuja, ndio nikamuandikia receipt akaenda akapick the phone akapeleka delivery, simu imepatikana ni hiyo iPhone simu yake hatujui iko wapi," said Eunice Atieno Ouma, wife of the deceased.

Citizen TV tracked down Tonny Mwenda, the man said to have given the deceased the phone he was supposed to deliver.

"Morning saa 10:38 akanipigia simu ako na client wa iPhone Pro Max, nikaenda kwa rafiki yangu kwa jina anaitwa Ken dealer wa iPhones since we can’t afford that phone… nilimchukulia kwa rafiki yangu ili aende auze apate profit alete hiyo pesa ingine turudishie mwenyewe," said Mwenda.

He died making the delivery, in what appears to be a case of online fraud. It was however not the first time, as he had encountered a similar incident before.

Isaiah Odhiambo Ochieng, brother to the deceased, said: "Three weeks ago client aliorder simu tukapea Anthony apeleke Nation Centre…Antony kupeleka kuconfirm akarealize hao watu wako na a dummy phone exactly kama hiyo na akarudi nayo…”

Officials said the men who ran from the room Antony was found in did not use the vehicle captured in the CCTV footage , they used a rear exit to escape.

Antony's widow, Eunice, is demanding justice: "Nataka mzee wangu apewe justice yake juu watu huuwawa lakini hiyo yake ni unyama, sijui mbona mtu aue binadamu mwenzake. Kama ni simu ungechukua simu na uende tubaki na hiyo shida ya kugharamikia kulipa hiyo phone kwa sababu maisha haiwezi rudi na sasa hawa watoto wake sijui nitawafanya aje, ametukosea sana."