Informant misled KWS in search for missing Lake Nakuru fisherman Brian Odhiambo, says Director General
KWS Director General Dr Erastus Kanga told MPs that the informant issued false directions during a site visit to Lake Nakuru before admitting he did not know of any mass grave.
New details have emerged that a veiled informant misled security teams, family members and activists in the search for missing fisherman Brian Odhiambo, deepening fears of a cover-up.
Odhiambo was last seen on January 18, 2025, in the company of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers near Lake Nakuru National Park during a routine patrol that has since turned into a mystery.
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Appearing before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife on Thursday, KWS Director General Dr Erastus Kanga told MPs that the informant issued false directions during a site visit to Lake Nakuru before admitting he did not know of any mass grave, derailing efforts to uncover the truth behind Odhiambo’s mysterious disappearance.
“The informant gave conflicting directions, pointed to hotel flower beds, and eventually admitted he did not know any mass grave,” Kanga said.
He added that the informant’s misleading actions had wasted the efforts of a multi-agency team that included family members, media personnel, activists and security agencies.
According to Kanga, a report by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) later confirmed that the claims were false and that legal action would be taken against the individual.
The committee, chaired by Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki, had summoned Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano to respond to queries touching on the Odhiambo case, unresolved human-wildlife conflicts and access disputes involving protected areas.
Miano appeared alongside Wildlife Principal Secretary Silvia Museiya and KWS Director General Kanga.
While MPs sought accountability from the Ministry, Odhiambo’s case continued to raise alarm in court. On July 21, KWS Assistant Director Emmanuel Koech testified that there were no official records indicating arrests had been made on the day the fisherman was last seen.
This contradicted earlier testimony from the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Bondeni Police Station, who told the court that nine people had been arrested during an operation targeting illegal fishing on the same day.
“It is not indicating any arrest here… I have not seen any record of any arrested person on that day. It is supposed to be recorded. There were no records, and that is not proper,” Koech said.
Koech also confirmed that six KWS officers involved in the January 18 operation, Francis Wachira, Abdulrahman Ali Sudi, Isaac Ochieng, Evans Kimaiyo, Michael Wabukala, and Alexander Lorogoi, are still in active service. However, he could not explain why no internal KWS records exist regarding their actions that day.
Family lawyers grilled Koech over KWS’s failure to share internal reports with police investigators.
“So there are records at Bondeni Police Station, but no records at KWS? Is that the position? You’ve not called for the records, and it does not break your conscience that you haven’t, even when coming to testify in court?” lawyer Kipkoech Ngetich posed.
Lawyer Abuya Mogendi added, “You are telling the court that KWS operates outside the oversight framework? KWS is under IPOA supervision.”
Telecommunications expert Hassan Salado, who testified earlier in the case, revealed that mobile phone data showed Odhiambo’s phone was in the same location as four KWS officers, Lorogoi, Isaac Odhiambo, Wabukala, and Evans Kipsang, on the morning he went missing.
“On the 18th of January 2025, the location of the missing person and the suspects are the same, from 10:00 am to 10:55 am,” Salado, who was the sixth witness, said.
Salado said he received three call data requests from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) between January 10 and 21, 2025, targeting the missing man’s number and those of the KWS officers. He also confirmed that Odhiambo’s number was registered under his wife’s name, Alvy Okello.
During cross-examination, defence lawyer Diana Sigei challenged his findings, asking him to explain a call made to Odhiambo’s phone at 10:06 pm the same evening in Karunga.
“Confirm that at 22:06, the missing person received a phone call,” she posed.
Salado responded, “That is a forwarded call… it is just a continuation of Karunga. The phone was still located at Karunga.”
The court adjourned the hearing to September 1, with four more witnesses expected to testify.
During the Parliamentary session, Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria questioned the Cabinet Secretary on the use of the term illegal fishing in relation to Odhiambo’s disappearance. But Committee Chair Mbiuki cautioned members to avoid delving into details of a matter that is currently before the court.
“We must be cautious not to delve into sub judice matters currently in court,” Mbiuki said.
Chepalungu MP Victor Koech pressed the Ministry over the delayed response to human-wildlife incidents in Bomet and slow compensation for victims.
Kanga told the Committee that KWS units stationed in Kabason, Kabolwo, and Nairutia are well equipped and actively handling cases. He said Sh30,000 had been paid to the family of the late Kelvin Kipkemoi Neotich and that 19 claims had been settled to the tune of Sh981,812 since 2014.
Koech also asked for more Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives from KWS in communities living near protected areas.
“I have received your letter and we will give it priority,” Kanga assured him.
MPs also challenged the Ministry over delays in opening the Malka Halaku Livestock Corridor, a move previously ordered by the President. Tourism CS Miano proposed forming a multi-stakeholder task force to oversee the implementation.
But Garsen MP Ali Wario dismissed the proposal, accusing the Ministry of stalling:
“It sounds like a delay tactic to deny the people of Garsen justice,” Wario said.
CS Miano defended the task force, saying, “The task force is not to delay but to streamline the process with all key players, community leaders included.”
Committee Chair Kareke Mbiuki urged ministry officials to move beyond excuses and offer real solutions.
“When Members raise issues, let’s offer solutions, not hide behind budgetary excuses,” Mbiuki said.
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