A routine delivery turned into a deadly setup for Nairobi boda boda rider Antony Otieno, whose body was discovered brutally murdered in a South B apartment in what police believe was an elaborate trap linked to an online fraud network.
Antony, a delivery rider and electronics dealer, left Nairobi’s CBD at around 10:30am to deliver a brand-new iPhone 17 Pro Max to a client who had placed the order via WhatsApp.
The number used — 0108577041 — belonged to a man who claimed he was in Eldoret but instructed Antony to deliver the phone to Meridian Apartments, South B, where his “brother” named Hillary would receive it.
Payment, the person placing the order said, would be made upon delivery — a risky but common arrangement for riders.
It was the last time Antony was seen alive.
Body Found Hidden Under the Bed
Later that day, detectives traced Antony to house number 14, fourth floor of the building, where they found his body shoved under a bed. His hands and legs were tied, and a leso had been tightly wrapped over his mouth.
A pool of blood beneath him indicated severe blunt-force injuries to the head, confirmed by an autopsy.
Police believe the attackers fled through a rear exit, avoiding the vehicle caught on CCTV at the apartment’s entrance.
Delivery Linked to Wider Fraud Scheme
A close friend of Antony has since revealed that the iPhone he was delivering was obtained specifically for the order — raising suspicion that the buyer may have been part of a larger syndicate that lures delivery riders to isolated locations, then robs or harms them.
In Lucky Summer, where Antony lived, his family is struggling to understand the senseless killing.
His widow, Eunice Atieno Ouma, who ran an online electronics business with him, recounted the events leading to his final delivery.
She said the client identified herself as Grace, then called Hillary to confirm the order.
“Alisema kuna iPhone imekuwa ordered na akaniambia nipeleke South B,” Eunice explained.
Antony was issued a receipt and set off for the delivery, but the only phone recovered from the scene was the iPhone he was carrying — his own device has not yet been found.
According to Tonny Mwenda, the friend who sourced the phone for Antony to sell, the deal initially seemed normal.
“Morning saa 10:38 akanipigia simu ako na client wa iPhone Pro Max… nilichukua simu kwa rafiki yangu dealer ili apate profit,” he said.
Antony had also previously narrowly escaped another trap. His brother, Isaiah Odhiambo Ochieng, recalled an incident three weeks earlier involving a delivery to Nation Centre.
“Client aliorder simu… wakajaribu kumpatia dummy phone exactly kama yake. Aligundua akarudi nayo,” he said.
Family Demands Justice
Antony leaves behind a young family now grappling with grief and uncertainty. His widow is pleading for justice and accountability.
“Nataka mzee wangu apewe justice… kwa sababu maisha haiwezi rudi. Hawa watoto wake sijui nitawafanya aje,” Eunice said, describing his killing as “unyama,” an act of pure cruelty.
