YVONNE'S TAKE: Brian Odhiambo - Does Gov't really care?

This week marks two months since Brian Odhiambo went missing. A fisherman in Nakuru, who was last seen on the January 18 and alleged to have been taken by Kenya Wildlife Service officers; two months of an agonizing search by his family.

This includes what must have been a horrifying search for his body at the Nakuru National Park, at what was suspected to be a shallow grave. Sadly, this too didn’t yield anything.

A court process that is ongoing has been the same old motions that we have now, sadly, become accustomed to, a seemingly futile demand for him to be produced. With the DCI saying they have no idea where he is and promising investigations.

So frustrating has the search been, that Brian’s mother confronted Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen this week, pleading with him to get information on the whereabouts of her son. And now, he and other politicians are all very shocked at this case and asking for his release.

Folks, this is becoming an all too familiar scenario in this country. Mothers, fathers, siblings, spouses, crying, desperately searching for their loved ones. Allegedly taken by the authorities.

The authorities first feigning ignorance. Then numerous denials. Tears and agony in court and then finally, a body is found.

We have seen this time and again, to the extent that it is almost becoming normal. It is just another story. Just another person missing. Again, and again, and again.

But there is nothing normal or ordinary about Brian Odhiambo’s mother pleading with a Cabinet Secretary, in tears, having to explain how important her son is to her and how frustrating the search for him has been.

Yet, since June 2024, this has become the norm. Young people, missing, families in agony, searching in morgues, hospitals, authorities in denial.

All this as the political class seemingly moves on in some show of unity and solidarity. While Brian’s mother and many others look on in bewilderment.

Folks, let us not move on like they have. We must continue to mount the pressure, make lots of noise until Brian is found. Because, as has now become evident, one day it is Brian, tomorrow, who knows… We are seemingly on our own.