A Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) informant misled search teams, family members and activists in the hunt for missing fisherman Brian Odhiambo, derailing efforts to uncover the truth about his disappearance, Parliament has heard.

Odhiambo was last seen on January 18, 2025, in the company of KWS officers near Lake Nakuru National Park during what began as a routine patrol but has since turned into a case shrouded in mystery.

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 gave false directions during a site visit to the lake before admitting he had no knowledge of any mass grave.
“The informant gave conflicting directions, pointed to hotel flower beds, and eventually admitted he did not know any mass grave,” Kanga said.

He said the misleading directions wasted the efforts of a multi-agency team that included family members, security agencies, activists and media personnel.

A Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) report later confirmed the claims were false, and Kanga said legal action would be taken against the informant.

The committee, chaired by Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki, had summoned Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano to respond to questions about Odhiambo’s case, unresolved human-wildlife conflicts and disputes over access to protected areas. She appeared alongside Wildlife Principal Secretary Silvia Museiya and KWS Director General Kanga.

While the Ministry faced MPs’ scrutiny, Odhiambo’s disappearance continued to draw attention in court. On July 21, KWS Assistant Director Emmanuel Koech testified that there were no official records of arrests on the day the fisherman was last seen.

This contradicted earlier testimony from the Officer Commanding Station at Bondeni Police Station, who told the court that nine people had been arrested that day during an operation targeting illegal fishing.

“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 confirmed that six KWS officers, Francis Wachira, Abdulrahman Ali Sudi, Isaac Ochieng, Evans Kimaiyo, Michael Wabukala, and Alexander Lorogoi were involved in the January 18 operation and remain in active service.

He could not explain why KWS had no internal records of their actions that day.

Family lawyers questioned Koech over the agency’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 asked.
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, told the court that phone data placed Odhiambo and four KWS officers,  Lorogoi, Isaac Odhiambo, Wabukala, and Evans Kipsang, in the same location on the morning he vanished.

“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 said.

He said the DCI made three call data requests between January 10 and 21 targeting the missing man’s number and those of the KWS officers. Odhiambo’s number was registered under his wife’s name, Alvy Okello.

During cross-examination, defence lawyer Diana Sigei asked him to confirm a call made to Odhiambo’s phone at 10:06 pm on the same day in Karunga.
“Confirm that at 22:06, the missing person received a phone call,” she said.
Salado replied, “That is a forwarded call… it is just a continuation of Karunga. The phone was still located at Karunga.”

The hearing will resume on September 1, with four more witnesses expected to testify.

In the committee 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 Chair Mbiuki warned members not to go into details of a matter still in court.
“We must be cautious not to delve into sub judice matters currently in court,” Mbiuki said.

Chepalungu MP Victor Koech also raised concerns over delayed responses to human-wildlife incidents in Bomet and slow compensation for victims.

Kanga said KWS units in Kabason, Kabolwo and Nairutia were well equipped and active, adding that Sh30,000 had been paid to the family of the late Kelvin Kipkemoi Neotich and that 19 claims worth Sh981,812 had been settled since 2014.

Koech further called for more Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives from KWS for communities near protected areas.
“I have received your letter and we will give it priority,” Kanga assured him.

The Ministry also faced questions over delays in opening the Malka Halaku Livestock Corridor, a project previously ordered by the President. CS Miano proposed creating a multi-stakeholder task force to implement the plan.

However, Garsen MP Ali Wario rejected the proposal, saying, “It sounds like a delay tactic to deny the people of Garsen justice.”
Miano responded, “The task force is not to delay but to streamline the process with all key players, community leaders included.”

Mbiuki urged the Ministry to move beyond excuses.
“When Members raise issues, let’s offer solutions, not hide behind budgetary excuses,” he said.