KWS officers deny charges in fisherman abduction case

Six Kenya Wildlife Service officers accused of abducting a fisherman who disappeared nearly three months ago were on Monday presented before a Nakuru court, facing legal scrutiny over their alleged role in the incident.

The officers, Francis Gachoki, Alexander Lorogoi, Isaac Wabukala, Michael Kimaiyo, Evans Kipsang, and Abdulrahman Ali Sudi were charged with one count of abduction with intent to confine.

They denied the charge before Principal Magistrate Kipkurui Kibellion.

The prosecution alleges that the six abducted fisherman Brian Odhiambo on January 18 within the Bondeni area, Nakuru, with the aim of secretly detaining him.

His whereabouts remain unknown since that day.

The court appearance comes weeks after the Nakuru High Court threw out a petition that sought to compel Kenya Wildlife Service to present Odhiambo, who his family says was last seen inside Lake Nakuru National Park.

The disappearance has raised public concern and intensified scrutiny on the conduct of KWS personnel.

Magistrate Kibellion directed that the six officers be held at Nakuru GK Prison as the court considers their bail application, with a ruling expected within seven days.

The family has filed an affidavit, claiming they have faced intimidation and pressure to abandon the case.

According to them, Odhiambo was inside the park when he was last seen, contradicting earlier statements by KWS.

KWS had initially stated that its officers arrested an unidentified person who escaped before his identity could be verified, a claim that has added to the mystery and drawn criticism.