Mach Mayien Anyieth, a 21-year-old Form Three student, is reported to have drowned in the lake on September 26. His body was retrieved five days later on Tuesday evening.
Mayien, a South Sudanese national, had joined friends for what was meant to be a routine fishing expedition. Instead, the outing ended in tragedy after he reportedly failed to make it to safety.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation
On the day of his disappearance, he is said to have left home at 7 pm without informing his family where he was going. The following day, his four friends returned and reported that he had drowned.
According to South Sudanese community chairperson Bol Ajak, the family began a frantic search, working with relatives, police, and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officials.
On Saturday, the family sought permission to access the park but were only allowed in on Sunday, accompanied by officers from Mwariki Police Station. After unsuccessful attempts, the search concluded on Tuesday when Mayien’s body was retrieved.
“We were just informed that he drowned. Circumstances leading to it, we do not know. I rushed to Mwariki Police Station and made a missing person report. We will wait for investigators to establish what transpired,” said Mr Ajak.
He described the deceased as a friendly and loving young man who had built strong bonds within the Kenyan community.
Mr Ajak cautioned South Sudanese and Kenyan youths against engaging in illegal fishing at Lake Nakuru, saying it was unsafe and outlawed.
“We must respect the rule of law. When told not to enter the park without authorisation, we should abide by it,” he said, adding that the family will begin burial arrangements.
Abraham Gitau, the landlord of Mach Mayien Anyieth, a 21-year-old South Sudanese whose body was retrieved from Lake Nakuru on September 26, 2025.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation
Mayien’s death has revived painful memories of other incidents linked to the lake. In January, fisherman Brian Odhiambo vanished while fishing in the same waters. Despite searches, his body has never been found.
On February 20, the body of another fisherman, Justus Purokour Omollo, 29, was retrieved by KWS officers after going missing in the lake.
For many residents around Lake Nakuru, fishing remains a lifeline despite restrictions.
Rising unemployment and economic hardships continue to push young men into the dangerous waters, often with tragic consequences.
