Activists protest exclusion of Lake Nakuru from free entry, link reversal to Odhiambo's disappearance
Boniface Mwangi and Hussein Khalid of Vocal Africa criticised the move, linking it to the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Brian Odhiambo, who was allegedly killed by officers from KWS.
Human rights activists have expressed outrage after the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) reversed its decision to offer free entry to Lake Nakuru National Park on Saturday, September 27.
KWS had earlier announced free access to all national parks across the country to mark World Tourism Day, in line with a directive from Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano.
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However, in a statement released on Friday, KWS said the directive would not apply to Lake Nakuru but did not provide a reason for the change.
It advised visitors with prepaid e-Citizen tickets to enter the park through the Nderit Gate between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm. Entry fees are typically Sh860 for adults and Sh215 for children, with higher charges for non-residents: Sh8,400 for adults and Sh4,900 for children.
Activists Boniface Mwangi and Hussein Khalid of Vocal Africa linked the reversal to the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of fisherman Brian Odhiambo, who vanished on January 18, 2025, after being arrested by KWS rangers.
According to Hussein, the timing was suspicious, noting that Odhiambo’s family had planned to use the day to search for him at the park.
“KWS announced free entry to all parks on Saturday, September 27, and the family of Brian Odhiambo said they would use the opportunity to search for their loved one at Lake Nakuru. Now KWS has gone back on its word and excluded Lake Nakuru,” he said.
Mwangi also condemned the decision and alleged that Odhiambo was assaulted to death by KWS rangers.
“On January 28, 2025, Brian Odhiambo vanished after being arrested at Nakuru National Park. They allegedly beat him to death and fed his body to wild animals. KWS has barred Odhiambo’s family from accessing the crime scene to search for his remains,” claimed Mwangi.
A witness testifying in a case against six KWS rangers charged with abducting Odhiambo said he saw the fisherman lying unresponsive in a KWS vehicle on the day he was allegedly arrested for fishing illegally at Lake Nakuru.
KWS denies any wrongdoing.
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