Chaos rocked more than three estates in Nakuru for the fourth day in a row as angry residents protested over the disappearance of Brian Odhiambo, a man who was arrested by security officers before going missing.
The protests disrupted activities in Manyani, Kivumbini and Flamingo estates as they demanded to know Odhiambo's whereabouts.
At one point, the angry residents, numbering more than 500, set fire to part of Lake Nakuru National Park as they demanded answers from the police.
Missing fisherman: Angry residents torch part of Lake Nakuru National Park
Officers fired teargas to disperse the angry crowd, which was trying to gain access to the protected Lake Nakuru National Park.
At the same time, at least 25 students from Kimathi Secondary School were taken to hospital for treatment after police fired teargas to disperse the angry crowd.
Kenya Wildlife Service officers put out fire at Lake Nakuru National Park on January 23, 2025 after protesters set the park on fire demanding release of Brian Odhiambo.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
The protesters have vowed not to relent until Odhiambo is produced, dead or alive.
Odhiambo, 31, a local fisherman, was reportedly taken away by the KWS officers in Lake Nakuru National Park last Saturday and his whereabouts have remained unknown since.
He was arrested by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers for allegedly entering the protected Lake Nakuru National Park.
KWS rangers tracked him to his residence in Manyani Estate, where they arrested him last Saturday. He has not been seen since then.
Lake Nakuru fishing wars: Youths in Manyani clash with KWS over disappearance of local
"Brian has not been booked to any police station, admitted to any hospital or booked to any mortuary,” revealed Odhiambo's wife Ms Alvy Okello.
"We want Brian alive or dead. I want to know where my husband is. He was supposed to be arraigned on Monday but he was not presented in court,” she added.
During the protests, on Tuesday, police shot and seriously injured another youth Eliud Ochieng.
According to Elizabeth Auma, Odhiambo’s mother, the fisherman was last seen in the company of KWS officers, who were seen manhandling him after he was caught fishing in a restricted area within Lake Nakuru National Park.
“I saw two KWS officers near the Park's fence. They arrested Odhiambo and threw him inside their vehicle. I pleaded with them to let us talk about the matter, but my plea fell on deaf ears and they took Brian away, “Auma revealed on Thursday.
Odhiambo’s disappearance has triggered unprecedented protests with angry youth storming the Lake Nakuru National Park, blocking the road leading to the park, while demanding Odhiambo’s release.
On Thursday the crowd lit bonfires and placed stones on the road effectively blocking access to the park, which attracts hundreds of tourists daily.
The park is a massive tourist attraction and a great source of revenue for the Nakuru County Government.
Meanwhile, the Divisional Criminal Investigations Officer (DCIO) of Nakuru East Samuel Ngeiywo on Thursday confirmed that six KWS officers linked to Odhiambo’s disappearance have been arrested.
The Independent Medical Legal Unit has also sued the Police and the Kenya Wildlife Services over the forcible arrest and detention without trial of Odhiambo.
IMLU has filed a petition before the constitutional court seeking redress for the alleged arbitrary detention of Odhiambo who was arrested and locked within the premises of the Lake Nakuru National Park on January 18, by KWS rangers.
Youths protest in Bondeni estate, Nakuru as they demand the release of Brian Odhiambo on January 23, 2025.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
IMLU in their petition claims the arrest and detention of Odhiambo is unlawful since it was done under unclear and unjustifiable circumstances with the police withholding information regarding his whereabouts from his family.
“During the arrest, the officers used excessive force, including beating the victim with batons, causing him physical harm and distress. IMLU has independently investigated this matter and confirms that the actions of the Respondents amount to serious violations of fundamental rights as enshrined in the constitution of Kenya,” read part of the petition.
The petitioners are now seeking orders compelling the KWS and the police to produce Odhiambo in court or give justification for his continued detention.
They further want the agencies to provide report detailing information detailing the circumstances surrounding Mr Odhiambo’s arrest, detention and current whereabouts as well as orders restraining the KWS and the police from further unlawful detention and mistreatment and harm.
The In-charge at lake Nakuru National Park, officer in charge at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations office in Nakuru East, the Director of Criminal investigations and Attorney general have been sued as respondents in the case.
