The tears and tension that marked Brian Odhiambo case hearing

She holds a framed photo of Brian Odhiambo close to her bosom as if cradling a baby.

The message on it ‘I miss you son’ saying out loud the words that are too painful to utter.

Elizabeth Auma, Brian’s mum is sited at the entrance of Nakuru’s court 8 waiting for yet another lengthy hearing in the trial that has been going on for nearly four months.

The weight of her son’s disappearance seems to be weighing heavy on her body as can be seen by her distant gaze and frail physique.

Auma has been a permanent fixture in these trials always sitting next to Brian’s wife Alvy Aoko. The two brought together by love and trauma.

The case is to determine what happened to Brian who disappeared on January 18 this year after being apprehended by six Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers next to Lake Nakuru National park.

When the file was read on September 8 at 11.32 am, the mood in the court instantly changed.

As the accused confirmed their presence to the judge, they moved from the public gallery to the dock in order of their names.

Principal magistrate Kipkurui Kibellion called for a five-minute recess before proceeding, and left the chambers briefly.

In the ten minutes he was away, a swarm of people came into the court room, as bees flock to a flower oozing with nectar.

Many were women and from their conversation it was clear they were here to follow this emotive case that has been the talk of Nakuru and the country since Brian disappeared.

Suddenly, the court seemed too small for the crowds and the tension that kept building up with every second.

At the dock, the accused at first exchange chit chat among themselves but then fell silent, looking into the space now filled with people.

One would wonder what the deep thoughts constituted.

When principal magistrate Kibellion returned, there was pin drop silence.

As the witness of the day was called to the stand, more people streamed into the court some even crowding at the door. Inside the court room every space was occupied either by a sitting or standing body.

But as the testimony went by, those who were sat stood not wanting to miss out on anything.

They keenly followed every answer the prosecution witness gave.

At one point, emotions ran high when the witness confirmed that he had seen Brian unresponsive in a KWS vehicle on January 18. Some of the women used their handkerchiefs to dry the tears that flowed freely as they sighed softly.

And when the hearing ended, just as they had come, the crowd streamed out of the court room offering their thoughts on the proceedings.

Auma however sat still, head bowed, still clutching onto Brian’s photo.