KWS denies role in disappearance of Nakuru fisherman

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has yet again denied any involvement in the disappearance of fisherman Brian Odhiambo, who reportedly went missing at Lake Nakuru National Park last year.

KWS Director General Erastus Kanga told the Senate Security, Defence and Foreign Relations Committee that the organisation’s formal records do not have the name of the fisherman.

In defence of KWS during the inquiry into the disappearance of the 33-year-old fisherman, Kanga said official records do not indicate that Odhiambo entered the park, noting the case remains in court one year on.

“We have the records of all visitors who have entered the Lake Nakuru National Park. We can provide the records for the past 10 years. Nobody has entered the national park and has been reported missing,” said Kanga.

While admitting that illegal fishing has been ongoing at the park, the KWS boss said the activity has seen fishers destroy the park’s fence, putting their lives at risk.

“The illegal fishers are cutting and destroying the fence. We are telling the people around Lake Nakuru to have fish ponds at their homesteads,” he added.

However, petitioners challenged the claims, insisting illegal fishing continues unabated.

“Illegal fishing has been ongoing in Lake Nakuru. Even today at 5 am, vehicles leave the lake with fish. The government’s job is just to deny, deny, deny,” said Peter Mbae.

“The actual fence in Lake Nakuru National Park is very porous. Those panya routes are there,” added Tom Mboya.

The petitioners, who are seeking a permanent solution to rising cases of alleged police brutality and killings within the park, have urged the government to legalise fishing in the lake.

Responding to the concerns, Senate Security Committee chairperson Fatuma Dullo noted the need to address safety and accountability issues surrounding the matter.

“It is illegal to fish in a national park,” Kanga maintained.

The developments come barely three weeks after the Nakuru Law Courts ruled that six KWS officers have a case to answer over their alleged involvement in the disappearance of Brian Odhiambo.

According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the six officers, Francis Wachira, Alexander Lorogoi, Isaac Ochieng Odhiambo, Michael Wabukala, Evans Kimaiyo, and Abdulrahaman Ali Sudi, are accused of abducting Odhiambo on January 18, 2025, in Bondeni, Nakuru East Sub-County, with the alleged intent of wrongfully confining him.

The six officers denied the charges before Magistrate Kipkurui Kibelion during the court proceedings.

The prosecution team, led by counsel Win Kihumba and Dan Smith Mbalasi, however, presented satisfactory evidence that Odhiambo was arrested during an operation at the Lake Nakuru National Park and later went missing while in the custody of the accused officers.

After reviewing the evidence, the court ruled that there was sufficient evidence to place the officers on their defence.

The case is now scheduled for a defence hearing on June 8, 2026.