The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has been granted court approval to exhume bodies in Lake Nakuru National Park as part of the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of fisherman Brian Odhiambo, who went missing in January after allegedly being taken by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers.
The Nakuru Chief Magistrate’s Court authorized the DCI Homicide Unit to carry out the operation following intelligence indicating that Odhiambo may have been buried secretly within the park. The court ruling empowers investigators to perform a detailed search and collection of evidence.
Odhiambo disappeared on January 18, 2025, after heading out to fish at Lake Nakuru. Witnesses report that he was last seen in KWS custody. In May 2025, six KWS rangers were charged with abduction with intent to confine. So far, 13 witnesses have given testimony, and the final prosecution witness, an investigating officer, is expected to testify on November 10.
The family has raised concerns over what they describe as slow implementation of 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,” said Abuya Mogendi, the family’s lawyer.
Under the court directive, the DCI is expected to exhume the suspected bodies and conduct DNA tests to establish whether Odhiambo is among them. Sources suggest that several bodies may be buried in the park, which could lead to closer scrutiny of the wildlife agency and park management, and possibly trigger legal action.
The order follows testimony from a key witness who reported seeing Odhiambo’s lifeless body inside a KWS vehicle, contradicting previous statements from rangers claiming the fisherman had escaped custody.
During a September 8 hearing before Principal Magistrate Kipkurui Kibelion, the witness, serving a four-year sentence for illegal fishing, said KWS rangers arrested him and five other fishermen on January 19 and transported them by boat to Summit, Nakuru.
He said the rangers made them lie on their stomachs before a green KWS vehicle arrived. Inside, he claimed, was a motionless man wearing 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,” he testified, identifying the deceased as Brian Odhiambo.
Another witness, held in Nyandarua, confirmed the account, identified Odhiambo from photographs, and pointed out the six rangers charged with his abduction.
Currently, six KWS officers remain in custody as the case nears conclusion, with the prosecution expected to wrap up after the final testimony next month.
Civil society groups have criticized the slow progress in the investigation, viewing it as an example of wider institutional failures.
Hussein Khalid, CEO of Vocal Africa, condemned the incident, saying it exposes serious moral and ethical failings in the treatment of 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.
“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 anyone with information to come forward, assuring protection and confidentiality.
“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 maintains that it has not engaged in any wrongdoing.