The Senate steps in to demand justice for missing Nakuru fisherman Brian Odhiambo

The search for justice for the missing fisherman, Brian Odhiambo, has reached the Senate, with lawmakers probing claims that he was last seen in the custody of Kenya Wildlife Service officers at Lake Nakuru.

Led by Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo, the committee visited Nakuru this week on a fact-finding mission, following months of public outcry and reports that Mr Odhiambo was last seen in the custody of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers.

After meeting with county officials, security agencies and human rights defenders, Senator Dullo confirmed that preliminary investigations had linked KWS officers to the young man’s disappearance.

“We have established from credible sources that Brian disappeared while in the custody of KWS officers. Six officers have now been suspended and are facing trial in connection with the incident,” Senator Dullo said.

Odhiambo, who was described by his fellow fishermen as hardworking and soft-spoken, disappeared while fishing in the protected waters of Lake Nakuru National Park, an area where fishing is prohibited. His family and colleagues claim that he was arrested during a patrol and has not been seen since.

For his family, months of waiting have turned into anguish and unanswered questions. They have repeatedly visited police stations, morgues and offices seeking updates, but have received no closure.

However, Senator Dullo has assured them that the committee will push for accountability and a formal report on the case.

“We assure the family of Brian Odhiambo that we will get to the root of this matter. We will ensure that justice is served and that such a tragedy does not happen again," she said.

Human rights groups in Nakuru have long sounded the alarm over the criminalisation of informal fishing within the lake, arguing that many of the young men involved come from poor families who rely on fishing to survive. They say that the disappearance of Brian has exposed the dark intersection between environmental policing and human rights violations.

At the meeting, senators also raised concerns about broader issues relating to conservation enforcement and the need to protect civilians living near protected areas.

"Government agencies must take responsibility so that we do not see such disappearances happen again," said Senator Dullo, calling for institutional reforms within KWS and improved community engagement.

Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja echoed these sentiments, urging law enforcement to strike a balance between protecting the environment and safeguarding human life.

"We cannot allow people to go missing because of enforcement operations. Brian’s family deserves justice and closure. The law must protect, not persecute,” she said.

The senators also raised concerns about the environment and health around Lake Nakuru, where pollution from nearby factories continues to threaten livelihoods. Senator Dullo warned that contaminated fish from the lake could be ending up in markets in Kisumu and Nairobi, and called for urgent investigations by the Ministry of Health and the Fisheries Department.

"We have information that the fish from the lake is unfit for human consumption due to industrial effluent, yet it ends up in hotels and markets across the country. This poses a serious public health risk," she said.