Court allows DCI to exhume bodies in Lake Nakuru Park in search for missing fisherman Brian Odhiambo

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has been granted court approval to exhume bodies buried in Lake Nakuru National Park as part of an ongoing investigation into the mysterious disappearance of fisherman Brian Odhiambo, who vanished in January after allegedly being arrested by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers.

The Nakuru Chief Magistrate’s Court authorised the DCI’s Homicide Unit to conduct an extensive search and exhumation operation within the park, following credible intelligence suggesting that Odhiambo may have been secretly buried within the protected area.

Odhiambo went missing on January 18, 2025, after going fishing at Lake Nakuru, with witnesses claiming he was last seen in the custody of KWS officers. Six KWS rangers were later charged with abduction with intent to confine in May 2025, and 13 witnesses have already testified in court. The final prosecution witness, an investigating officer, is expected to testify on November 10.

The fisherman’s family has, however, expressed frustration over what they describe as unnecessary delays in executing the court order.

“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations sought and obtained far-reaching court orders on Monday from the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Nakuru authorising an extensive search and exhumation operation within the park. We are, however, deeply concerned about the pace of implementation. We respectfully urge that the process be expedited. Any further delays risk compromising crucial evidence,” the family’s lawyer, Abuya Mogendi, said.

The DCI has been directed to exhume the suspected bodies and conduct DNA analysis in efforts to trace Odhiambo. Reports suggest that Odhiambo’s body could be among several buried within the park, a revelation that could expose the wildlife agency and park management to further scrutiny and possible lawsuits.

The decision to allow exhumation follows new testimony from a high-profile witness who told the court that he saw Odhiambo’s lifeless body in a KWS vehicle, contradicting earlier claims by rangers that the fisherman had escaped custody.

While testifying before Principal Magistrate Kipkurui Kibelion on September 8, the witness, currently serving a four-year sentence for illegal fishing, said that KWS rangers arrested him alongside five other fishermen on January 19, and ferried them by boat to Summit, Nakuru.

He recalled that the rangers ordered them to lie on their stomachs before a green KWS vehicle arrived. Inside, he said, was a motionless man dressed in black shorts with white stripes, shirtless and barefoot.

“Moments later, one of the rangers signalled to his colleagues that the man inside the vehicle had died,” the witness testified, identifying the man as Brian Odhiambo.

A second witness, detained in Nyandarua, corroborated the account and identified Odhiambo from photographs, also pointing out the six rangers accused of his abduction.

So far, six KWS officers remain in custody as the case nears conclusion, with the prosecution expected to close its case after the final testimony next month.

Meanwhile, civil society groups have condemned the slow pace of justice in the case, calling it a reflection of systemic abuse by security agencies.

Hussein Khalid, CEO of Vocal Africa, said Odhiambo’s death highlights deep moral decay in how the country’s institutions treat ordinary citizens.

“It is extremely deplorable that in Kenya today, a few fish like this are held with more regard and are more valuable to our security agencies than human beings. Brian Odhiambo lost his life because of a few fish like this, and he’s no more. His family is still searching for answers,” Khalid said.

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“They say a society is not judged by how it treats the powerful, the politically correct and the mighty, but by how it treats the weak, the poor and the vulnerable. If Kenya is to be judged by the case of Brian Odhiambo, then Kenya is a rotten society,” he added.

Khalid urged members of the public with any information to come forward, assuring them of safety and protection.

“We are appealing to anyone out there who has information that could help us unravel the case of Brian Odhiambo. Please come forward and reach out to us or Akili. We assure you that you will be safe and no harm will come to you,” he said.

The Kenya Wildlife Service has denied any wrongdoing in the case.