Detectives probe authenticity of deceased ‘KWS ranger’s note’ after post-mortem rules out suicide
KWS officer that was found dead at the Lake Nakuru Nation park at Honeymoon camp where he was suspected to take him life using a CZ Bren 2 assault rifle.
The death of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officer Corporal Leonard Odero has taken a dramatic turn after a government postmortem ruled out suicide, raising fresh questions over the circumstances surrounding his death and prompting homicide detectives to intensify investigations into what is now suspected to be a possible murder.
Corporal Odero's body was discovered inside Lake Nakuru National Park on June 23, 2026 with Initial reports suggesting that the officer may have taken his own life using a CZ Bren 2 assault rifle, after a handwritten note, believed to have been authored by him, was recovered.
On a phone call interview with Mtaa Wangu, Senior Assistant Director Central Rift Conservation area Gideon Kebati said homicide detectives from Nairobi have taken over the investigation and were expected to conduct a detailed forensic examination before determining what had happened.
"We are waiting for the homicide experts from Nairobi to come and analyse the scene so they can tell us what transpired," Kebati said.
At the time, Kebati said investigators had not established the cause of death and that suicide was among the possibilities being considered.
"The officers will come and analyse the ricochet at the scene and give further development " Kebati noted.
He also confirmed that the deceased had reportedly communicated with members of his family before his death and had left behind a handwritten note addressed to his relatives and several other individuals.
The emotional penned note, seen by Mtaa Wangu, opened with an apology to his family, expressing regret over his decision and asking to be allowed to "go in peace."
It further listed several individuals whom the officer said he owed money, including family members and friends, among them who he owed Sh60,000, sh10,000 and another Sh1,000. He also mentioned outstanding rent.
Additionally, he made a request to those who owed him money to repay it through people named in the note.
The officer also appealed to his employer to release his welfare savings to his spouse and spoke about financial struggles, family responsibilities, and pressure arising from being the sole breadwinner.
In the final section of the note, he referenced alleged illegal fishing activities within Lake Nakuru National Park, describing the vice as a growing menace. He also claimed that pressure at work had contributed to his decision to end his life.
"Pressure at work has also led me to take away my life here at Nakuru. The illegal fishing is a menace and not ending soon if something is not done about it," the note stated.
However, those claims have now been cast into doubt following the release of the postmortem findings.
Government pathologist Dr. Titus Ngulungu, who conducted the examination at Umash Funeral Home in the presence of family members, concluded that Corporal Odero did not die by suicide.
Instead, the pathologist found that the officer died from massive blood loss and severe head and chest injuries that were inconsistent with self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
According to the report, the deceased sustained three fatal gunshot wounds. One bullet entered through the rear of the skull and exited through the mouth, shattering the jaws. A second entered through the left back rib cage before exiting through the left chest, while a third struck the left shoulder from the front and exited backwards, shattering the upper left arm.
"As a result of my examination, I have formed the opinion that the cause of death was massive blood loss and head and chest injuries," read part of Dr. Ngulungu's report.
Based on those findings, the government pathologist ruled out suicide, indicating that the injuries were more consistent with homicide than a self-inflicted shooting.
The revelation has significantly altered the direction of the investigation, with detectives now expected to scrutinize the handwritten note alongside forensic evidence to establish whether it was genuinely written by the deceased and whether it accurately reflects the events leading to his death.
While commenting on the cases, Nakuru County Criminal Investigating Officer (CCIO) Samuel Ngeiywa notes that they are still on the crossroad on how to investigate the matter.
We have not decided whether the matter will be investigated as a murder or Suicide case since some of the statements have not been recorded including that of the family members," Ngeiywa noted.
Adding that if there is an issue of Suicide the police need to get that narrative from the family to establish if he had a problem with his family.
Ngeiywa further mentioned they will be submitting the notebook which the deceased is believed to have written his Suicide note to the forensic document examiner to authenticate whether he was the one who wrote the letter or someone wrote it on his behalf.
Police have not yet confirmed the authenticity of the note, and investigators are yet to identify any suspects or establish a motive.
As homicide detectives continue gathering forensic evidence, Corporal Odero's family are now hoping the investigation will uncover the truth behind the mysterious death of the KWS officer.