BY COURTESY

The High Court in Siaya has found businessman Vincent Ochieng Ongoro and his co-accused Chrispine Kennedy Awambo guilty of murdering Vincent’s younger brother, Jared Ongoro Odhiambo, in a case linked to alleged family and business rivalry.

Justice David Kemei ruled that the prosecution proved the case beyond reasonable doubt after calling seven witnesses. The court found that Awambo carried out the killing while Vincent planned and coordinated the murder.

The court heard that on September 4, 2023, at River Nzoia Bridge in Siranga Sub-location, the two, alongside others not before the court, murdered Jared.

A key breakthrough in the case came after the arrest of boda boda rider Michael Omondi, who was found in possession of the deceased’s mobile phone.

Omondi, who later became a prosecution witness, testified that Awambo hired him on the day of the murder and later confessed to killing Jared before returning to Vincent’s business premises in Siriwo, where Vincent allegedly paid him KSh1,000 and warned him against revealing what he had witnessed.

The rider further told the court that Awambo later left him with the deceased’s phone as collateral for a KSh1,000 loan, leading to his eventual arrest after investigators tracked the device.

Evidence also showed that Jared and Vincent had a strained relationship and had previously reported each other to police over family and business disputes.

Justice Kemei scheduled sentencing for July 3, 2026.

The judgment, delivered before members of the Ongoro family, drew mixed reactions.

While some relatives expressed dissatisfaction, Jared’s brother John Fabian Ongoro, another brother Fredrick Ochieng Odhiambo, and widow Judith Anyango welcomed the verdict, saying justice had finally been served after nearly two years.