Nakuru-based lobby groups condemn recent spate of violence in the county
Calvin Muga, the Program Officer at Midrift Human Rights Network, while addressing the media.
Human rights defenders in Nakuru have come out to condemn the ongoing human rights violations and demand justice and accountability for the disappearance of Brian Odhiambo, a young man who disappeared after being caught fishing in Lake Nakuru, and the death of Richard Otieno alias Molo's President.
Brian's disappearance sparked violent protests that have lasted for five days.
Calvin Muga, programme officer at Midrift Human Rights Network, said several young men had reportedly lost their lives after being caught fishing illegally.
These include Derrick Odhiambo Owino in 2021 and Kevin Ganira in 2024.
He also highlights several others who he claims narrowly escaped death, including Haggai Kibisu, Barrack Odhiambo, Alvin Williams, Sammy Njenga and Luka Keya, all of whom survived being shot by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers.
"Brian is currently missing and we demand his immediate release. It's painful and disturbing that after speaking to communities around the lake, women have told us of the brutal treatment they face at the hands of KWS officers. They are forced to choose between terrible options just to avoid being arrested - either endure sexual assault, be abandoned to hyenas or be killed," Mr Muga says emphatically.
"The community around the lake often calls KWS first when animals escape from the park, but the same community is not given the protection and respect they deserve in return. KWS, we want Brian now or there will be no peace," he says.
Banice Kubutha, co-convener of the Nakuru County Civil Societies Forum and from the Centre for Transformative Leadership, says Brian's disappearance and failure to produce him in court has left his family stressed and desperate.
"We are also deeply disturbed by the brutal death of Richard, a government critic and president of Molo, which highlights the alarming trend of impunity and deteriorating human rights, reminiscent of the dark days of the Nyayo era. We want to know who killed Richard and why," Ms Kubutha says.
For his part, Masese Kemunche, executive director of the Centre for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance (CeDGG), says they've contacted the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and urged it to send a team to investigate the circumstances surrounding Richard's murder.
Masese Kemunche, Executive Director of the Center for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance (CeDGG), while addressing the media.
As the unrest continues, he stresses the importance of maintaining peace and upholding the law.
"The reason we have laws is to ensure that we remain human. We urge everyone not to take the law into their own hands. We must remain peaceful and respect the rule of law, even as we exercise our right to demonstrate," he says.
"If the leaders break the law, we must show them that we are not prepared to do the same. We live to protect the law because the law protects us."