Families demand Senate probe into killings, disappearances linked to KWS rangers
They called for protection measures for victims’ families, witnesses, and human rights defenders who have reportedly faced threats for speaking out.
Families of victims of enforced disappearances and killings allegedly linked to Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers at Lake Nakuru National Park have called on the Senate to intervene and establish an independent inquiry into the alleged extrajudicial killings and torture cases.
In their petition delivered to the Senate on Tuesday, the grieving families, supported by human rights organisation VOCAL Africa, detailed harrowing accounts of disappearances, torture and extrajudicial killings.
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Among the victims named was Brian Odhiambo, who has been missing since January 18 with his mother Elizabeth Auma and wife Alvy Okello saying he was taken into custody by the KWS officers.
He was last seen in the company of KWS officers near Lake Nakuru National Park during a routine patrol that has since turned into a mystery.
His family has described him as a son, a husband, a brother whose life was tragically cut short. They accused the state of turning a blind eye to the allegations, allowing those responsible to operate with impunity while victims' families continued to suffer in silence.
According to the petitioners, several cases have been reported over the years, with young men from communities bordering the park disappearing under suspicious circumstances.
Families claim they have been forced to search for their missing relatives, only to find bodies bearing signs of brutal violence. They say the threats and intimidation they face when seeking answers have made it even harder to pursue justice.
Special Senate committee
The families have demanded the immediate formation of a special Senate committee to investigate the alleged human rights violations, summon relevant authorities and victims’ families, and recommend legal action.
“We call on the Senate to urgently set up a special committee with the mandate to investigate allegations of human rights violations by KWS rangers in Lake Nakuru. This committee must have the power to summon victims’ families, survivors, human rights organizations, and KWS officials — and to recommend legal action based on its findings,” they said.
They also want independent bodies such as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) to conduct thorough, impartial investigations and ensure the findings are made public.
They called for protection measures for victims’ families, witnesses, and human rights defenders who have reportedly faced threats for speaking out, as well as reparations for the affected families, including legal support, psychosocial services, and financial compensation.
“The blood of our children stains the soil of Lake Nakuru. The cries of mothers echo through empty homes. But we refuse to let grief crush our pursuit of justice,” the families said.
“We demand that the government establish a reparations program for families who have lost loved ones, covering legal support, psychosocial services and financial compensation for their loss.”
They urged the Senate to act swiftly, warning that continued inaction would only prolong their suffering and allow the perpetrators to remain shielded from accountability.
“We are watching. The nation is watching. History will remember whether you stood with the victims or with the perpetrators,” they said.
The petition, signed by VOCAL Africa, families of victims and survivors and community representatives, has intensified pressure on the government and law enforcement agencies to respond to the allegations and ensure justice is served.
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