‘Huyu amekata’: Shocking Testimony Links KWS Officers to Missing Fisherman

A Nakuru court has heard testimony accusing Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers of involvement in the disappearance of fisherman Brian Odhiambo, who was last seen unconscious while in their custody earlier this year.

Testifying virtually before Principal Magistrate Kipkurui Kibelion, Denis Juma, a convicted fisherman currently serving a sentence for illegal fishing in Lake Nakuru, described the events of 18 February in detail. He said he was among eleven people arrested by KWS personnel near the Vietnam area of Lake Nakuru National Park and made to lie face-down on the ground while awaiting transport to Bondeni Police Station.

Juma told the court that a green KWS Land Cruiser later arrived with an unconscious man in the back, later identified as Mr Odhiambo. He recalled hearing officers instruct the man to shift his position, but he did not respond.

“I lifted my head and saw a warden trying to move him. He didn’t react. Then I heard another officer whisper, ‘huyu amekata’ [this one is dead],” Juma said. 

The vehicle then left the scene and entered a nearby forest. Mr Odhiambo was not seen again. He further alleged that anyone who tried to look up or observe what was happening was met with violence. One detainee reportedly sustained a serious nose injury after being beaten. 

Juma claimed the group was later threatened and misled authorities at the police station due to fear of retaliation. He added that his transfer to Nyandarua Prison made it more difficult for him to testify.

A second witness, Alex Maina Njenga, also serving a sentence, supported Juma’s account. He testified that he saw KWS officers beating Mr Odhiambo and using stinging nettles on his body before he was loaded into the vehicle. According to Maina, requests for the officers to stop the assault were ignored.

The defence questioned why the witnesses had not reported the incident earlier. Juma responded that fear of reprisal from officers had prevented them from speaking out. The case involves six KWS officers currently facing charges of abduction. The hearing is set to continue next Monday.