A murder suspect accused of killing his wife, Sheila Odoyo, has been arrested in Tanzania following a two-year manhunt involving Kenyan and Tanzanian law enforcement agencies.
The suspect, identified as Jackson Otieno Bambo, also known as James Babu Olang, was arrested in Kirongwe, Shirati District, Tanzania, where detectives say he had been hiding while operating a club about 70 kilometres from the Muhuru border point.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Odoyo was found murdered inside her house in Athi River on May 9, 2024, prompting investigations and a search for her suspected killer.
Detectives pursued several leads over the two years, with intelligence eventually placing the fugitive in Tanzania.
The breakthrough followed a joint operation involving detectives from Athi River, their counterparts in Nyatike and Tanzanian law enforcement officers.
The coordinated operation led to the arrest of Bambo, who is identified as the deceased's husband.
At the time of his arrest, the suspect was reportedly found in possession of a Tanzanian national identity card bearing the name James Babu Olang. The circumstances surrounding the identity document are expected to form part of the ongoing investigations.
Following his arrest, the suspect was booked at Nyatike Police Station before being escorted to Athi River Police Station, where he remains in custody pending arraignment to face a murder charge.
The arrest highlights the role of cross-border cooperation in tracking suspects who flee Kenya to evade justice.
The DCI has reiterated its commitment to pursuing suspects accused of serious crimes through intelligence-led investigations and collaboration with local and international law enforcement agencies.
The agency has also urged members of the public to report information that could assist investigations, assuring informants that they can share tips anonymously through its toll-free number, 0800 722 203, or WhatsApp number, 0709 570 000.
The suspect is expected to be presented in court to answer to the murder charge. He remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.
