The prime suspect in the brutal murder of Kirinyaga University student Sospeter Osuga, popularly known as ‘Akoko the Billionaire,’ has been arrested following a breakthrough in the ongoing investigation.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed the arrest of Brian Otieno Maurice, who is believed to have played a central role in the fatal attack on Osuga, which occurred on November 18, 2024, in Ayani.
The DCI announced on Monday, December 9, that after a comprehensive investigation and intelligence-gathering, they managed to link Maurice to the tragic incident.
Maurice is set to appear in court later today to face charges related to the murder.
“The DCI has successfully apprehended the main suspect, Brian Otieno Maurice, following a series of arrests and intelligence leads. The investigation has been thorough, and we are now in a position to bring the suspect to justice,” the DCI said in a statement.
Sospeter Osuga, a well-known figure at Kirinyaga University, was attacked in a violent altercation after a night out in Ayani.
Initial reports suggest that Osuga, who had earned the nickname “Akoko the Billionaire” due to his outgoing and extravagant lifestyle, was with a group of friends at a nightclub when the incident occurred.
According to witnesses, Osuga had offered to buy drinks for his friends and was enjoying a relaxed evening.
However, when he learned that a popular Ohangla musician was performing at a nearby venue, he and his group decided to leave the club and head to the new location. What began as a typical night out soon turned into chaos.
As Osuga and his friends walked towards the second venue, a commotion broke out on the streets of Ayani. Witnesses said the altercation involved Osuga’s group and a local boda boda gang operating in the area. The crowd quickly swelled as tensions escalated.
According to eyewitness accounts, the situation grew violent when the gang members, many of whom were on motorcycles, confronted Osuga and his friends. The confrontation turned deadly when one of the gang members allegedly stabbed Osuga multiple times in the back, causing severe injuries.
“I saw the gang members surround them. They started shouting and then, just like that, one of them pulled out a knife and attacked Osuga,” said a witness who asked to remain anonymous. “The other friends were also attacked, but it was Osuga who suffered the worst injuries.”
The violence didn’t stop with Osuga. Witnesses reported that his friends were also assaulted during the altercation. They suffered stab wounds from the gang members, who continued their attack amid the growing commotion. The situation quickly escalated as the crowd became increasingly hostile.
“It was a group of about six to seven men, all on boda bodas. They started beating up Osuga’s friends too, and one of them just kept stabbing him. It all happened so fast,” another witness recalled.
Emergency services rushed Osuga to a nearby hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving. His friends, who also sustained injuries, were treated for their stab wounds but survived the brutal attack.
Following the murder, the DCI launched a full investigation, which included gathering testimonies from witnesses and pursuing leads in the surrounding areas. Initially, three individuals who were present during the altercation were arrested and questioned. They provided crucial information, which helped identify the main suspect, Maurice.
“The arrested individuals gave valuable information that, when combined with our intelligence network, led us to Brian Otieno Maurice,” the DCI statement said. “He is now in custody, and we are ready to present him in court today.”
While Maurice was arrested and detained over murder, the DCI emphasized that investigations are ongoing, and they are looking into the involvement of other individuals in the attack. The authorities have vowed to bring all those responsible to justice.
“We are not stopping here. Further investigations are ongoing to ensure that anyone who played a part in this brutal crime is held accountable,” the DCI added.
Family and Community React to the Tragedy
Osuga’s death has sparked widespread grief, especially within the Kirinyaga University community. His peers, friends, and family have been left devastated by the loss of a vibrant young man who had big dreams and a bright future ahead of him.
“It’s hard to believe he’s gone. Sospeter was full of life, always making us laugh. We never expected something like this to happen to him,” said a close friend who spoke to the press on the condition of anonymity. “We demand justice for him and his family.”
Students from the university have also voiced their outrage, holding protests and organizing memorials in honor of Osuga.
Many have condemned the growing violence in the region, particularly among boda boda gangs, and have called for stricter laws and enforcement to curb such incidents.
“We are angry and heartbroken. This should not have happened. We demand that the justice system ensures that the people responsible for his death are punished. He was our friend, our brother,” said one of Osuga’s classmates during a memorial held at the university.
A Life Cut Short
Sospeter Osuga’s life was tragically cut short at just 23 years old. Known for his bold personality and extravagant lifestyle, he had become a familiar face on campus and within the local community.
He often shared his adventures and social media posts with the world, which earned him the nickname “Akoko the Billionaire.”
Osuga’s family, though devastated, has expressed their hope that justice will prevail.
His mother, in an emotional interview, thanked the police for their swift action in arresting the suspect but called for more to be done to prevent such violence in the future.
“This is a painful time for us. Our son had so much to give, and now he’s gone. We hope this tragedy will lead to change and that no other family will have to go through what we’re going through,” she said, wiping away tears.
Legal Proceedings
Maurice will be charged with the murder of Sospeter Osuga and will appear before a court today for the formal reading of the charges. The DCI has indicated that further arrests may follow as investigations continue.
