• Mr Ochok was killed when two men, armed with a pistol and an AK-47 rifle blocked his car on Manyanja Road and opened fire on him. Nothing was stolen from him
• Mr Ochok’s relatives said he had been warned that he would be killed before October 7
• He was from Ka Kwa Juok in Kendu Bay and had seven wives, two of whom lived in Migori, another two in Homa Bay

A man executed in Buru Buru five days ago had blocked senior government officials from developing a piece of land in Ruai, police investigations have shown.

The two senior officials had hired a developer to put up commercial buildings on the property but Mr Gerald Odek Ochok mobilised the youth in Chokaa, Ruai, to block the development.

Mr Ochok was killed when two men, armed with a pistol and an AK-47 rifle blocked his car on Manyanja Road and opened fire on him. Nothing was stolen from him.

Witnesses said the killers appeared confident and the police took too long to respond.

Police spokesperson Zippora Mboroki on Thursday defended the police and blamed the attack on land cartels in Eastlands.

“No one has been arrested in connection with the killing. Detectives have however launched investigations into the case,” she said.

CONFIDENT KILLER
Mr Ochok’s relatives said he had been warned that he would be killed before October 7. A few months ago, he shifted his base to Migori after falling out with his former colleagues, including former councillor and three other agents.

While in Migori, he was involved in quarry and mining business.

He was to return to Migori on the afternoon he was shot dead. He had shopped at Naivas supermarket after which he switched cars and entered a black tinted Toyota Voxy.

A roadside trader who witnessed the shooting said a black car stopped about a kilometre from the Outer Ring/Manyanja road junction. One man alighted and started walking towards Donholm.
When Mr Ochok’s vehicle approached, the man pulled out his pistol and shot at the approaching car several times.

“He was very confident and appeared not to be in a hurry. There were many people waiting for matatus at the stage but that did not deter him,” said the trader who did not wish to be identified.

POLICE FRIEND
Mr Ochok and his mechanic died while their driver, identified as Mr Gerald Ochieng, and another occupant, Mr Peter Mutua, were slightly injured.

Police have been investigating a possible link between the incident and the shooting in the leg of a former councillor last month. The councillor has, however, distanced himself from the attack.

Friends said Mr Ochok was well-known by the police, having assisted many of them to acquire land.

At least four senior officers have built their homes on pieces of land they bought from him. Other beneficiaries include current and former politicians.

“When any youth is arrested, Ochok would make a phone call and the suspect would be released immediately,” said an agent in Ruai.

Some said Mr Ochok was a sly and few people knew how he operated.

He was from Ka Kwa Juok in Kendu Bay and had seven wives, two of whom lived in Migori, another two in Homa Bay.

Three lived in Nairobi. He had relocated from Kendu Bay to Migori where he built a home.