The fundraiser was conducted by Siaya Burial Committee and presided over by Busia County Governor Mr. Paul Otuoma.
The fundraiser that attracted numerous members of the Siaya business fraternity was also attended by church leaders and government officials led by County Secretary Joseph Ogutu.
Other notable personalities included Tourism Executive Anjeline Oduor, Education Executive Edgar Otumba, Gender Advisor to the Governor Winnie Otieno, Siaya Township Ward MCA James Obiero Otare, a representative of Rarieda MP Jeff Atwenga, a representative of Ugenya MP Silvester Wire among other leaders.
Governor Otuoma thanked those touched by Willis’s demise who turned up with generous donations to make the event an enormous success.
“We are grateful to the Almighty God for this successful exercise. We have seen a spirit of brotherhood and the few who came contributed whole heatedly,” said Otuoma
“We have managed to collect KES two million nine-hundred thousands and five hundred and we shall definitely top it up as time goes by,” the Busia Governor added.
Siaya County Secretary Mr Ogutu said plans to bury Ayieko had reached an advanced stage.
“Elder brother to the deceased Aggrey Onyango is in contact with Nairobi burial committees and everything is moving smoothly. Arrangements include identifying a service provider through the Nairobi team. We have also toured the place that will host the event on Saturday and everything else is work in precision,” said Mr. Ogutu.
The County Secretary added that more updates will be provided on various walls as the weekend approaches.
Willis Ayieko Onyango will be laid to rest on Saturday at his Ong’iende village in Central Alego location in Siaya.
Ayieko’s body was discovered at a swamp on the border of Siaya and Kakamega counties on October 23 at 2 pm.
His vehicle was found abandoned at a petrol station in Sabatia, Vihiga County.
An autopsy conducted on his body revealed that he died of head injuries.
Chief government pathologist Dr Johansen Oduor said the injuries led to bleeding of the brain.
“There was bleeding to the brain. Other than that there were bruises on the wrists caused by handcuffs found on him. There were also missing tissues on the mouth, ear and cheek,” the pathologist revealed.
He explained the missing tissues were a result of animal predation at the site where the body was found.
“They were caused by water animals like fish and crabs. We found a dead crab on the clothes. We think they were targeting the soft parts of the body,” he said.
The family pathologist Prof Emily Rogena was also present for the autopsy. She said they agreed with the findings.
The exercise was conducted at the Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi and was attended by the family, Siaya Governor James Aggrey Bob Orengo and MPs Sam Atandi and Elisha Odhiambo.
Director of the Homicide Unit at the Directorate of Criminal Investigation Mr Martin Nyuguto was present.
The burial will take place as detectives continue hunting for more suspects linked to the murder.
One suspect identified as George Oduor was shot dead in a confrontation with police in Kisumu town and a firearm recovered from him.
He was ambushed by police in his hideout at a guest house opposite Kisumu National Polytechnic.
Another one, Victor Ouma who is his brother is in police custody.
Top: Elder brother Aggrey Onyango being consoled by Siaya Township Ward MCA James Obiero Otare. Bottom: Bodaboda rider Otieno Omondi who ferried a murder suspect to the scene of crime.
On Monday, detectives handling the matter arrested another suspect identified as Otieno Omondi in Kisumu.
Omondi, a motorcycle rider, is alleged to have provided transport for Ouma, alias Sisco, to the location where Ayieko was abducted, police say investigations have indicated.
He told police he took Ouma to the murder scene and that he was allegedly paid KES 9,000 for the work.