In November 2025, the Nairobi boda-boda and delivery community was shaken by the brutal killing of Anthony Olwal (also referred to in some reports as Anthony Otieno). He was 30 years old and a father of three.

Anthony had been working as an online delivery agent when he accepted a high-value “pay-on-delivery” job delivering an iPhone 17 Pro Max ordered via WhatsApp.

According to WhatsApp chats shared by Anthony’s family, the supposed buyer claimed to be in Eldoret. The order was for an iPhone 17 Pro Max and after negotiation the agreed price was Ksh 220,000.The buyer directed Anthony to deliver the phone to an apartment in Meridian Court, South B (Sana Sana area), to a man named “Hilary.”The room in the apartment was booked earlier that morning by two unidentified men, who paid KSh 2,500 in cash.

Anthony is said to have left for the delivery around 10:30 a.m.His last confirmed call was around then by noon, neither his phone nor the client’s number was reachable.His body was found in Room 14, fourth floor of the Meridian Apartments in South B.He was found tied up hands and legs bound, and his mouth gagged with a piece of cloth.

There was blood visible on the floor. Police recovered a metal rod, a knife and the iPhone 17 Pro Max he was delivering.Anthony’s motorcycle (registration KMFH 161S) was found parked outside the building. 

The post-mortem found that Anthony died from blunt force trauma to the head apparently struck by a heavy object.There are also signs of suffocation. Reports say he may have been gagged, contributing to his death.The binding of his hands and legs suggests restraint and possible torture.

Investigators believe this was likely a planned ambush, disguised as a legitimate phone delivery.The buyer appears to have used a WhatsApp number (0108577041) and identity made to look like someone from Eldoret possibly to conceal their real identity.The fact that two men booked the apartment that morning and then left soon after is suspicious, especially given the timing and the later discovery of Anthony’s body.

According to Anthony’s colleague, there is CCTV footage showing the suspects struggling with the apartment’s house manager before leaving.The police have forwarded the two WhatsApp numbers (0108577041 and 0783041879) to Safaricom for tracing.

Isaiah Ochieng, Anthony’s brother, said that Anthony left home after picking up the phone early morning. By midday, his calls went unanswered and later that day, the family got the worst news. His wife, Eunice Atieno, recalled that in their last call, Anthony said he had “just arrived” at the client’s place and promised to call back. That was around 10:30 a.m. and she never heard from him again. The family is torn between whether the attackers simply wanted the phone or if their plan was to kill him. 

Anthony Olwal’s death is more than a shocking crime it’s a warning. For delivery riders, it’s a stark reminder of the risks they face. For clients and platforms, it raises urgent questions about responsibility, verification and trust. As investigations continue, his family and many in the delivery community are demanding justice, but also systemic change to prevent similar tragedies.