Witnesses link KWS rangers to missing fisherman’s disappearance

Appearing before Principal Magistrate Kipkurui Kibelion, prosecution witness Michael Rono—currently serving a four-year jail term for illegal fishing—told the Nakuru court that at least six fishermen were assaulted by KWS rangers on the same day Odhiambo vanished.

Rono testified against six rangers—Senior Sergeant Francis Wachira, and rangers Alexander Lorogoi, Isaac Ochieng, Michael Wabukala, Evans Kimaiyo, and Abdulrahaman Sudi—who are facing charges over Odhiambo’s abduction.

According to Rono, he and other fishermen were rounded up, ferried by boat to Summit, and ordered to lie face down under armed guard. About an hour later, a green KWS Land Cruiser arrived at the scene.

“I heard one of them say, ‘ndio hii gari imekuja,’” Rono recounted. “When they opened the vehicle, I saw a man lying motionless inside. The rangers checked his pulse and signaled that he had died. I recognized him as Brian Odhiambo, dressed in black shorts with white stripes, no shirt, and no shoes.”

A second witness, also serving a sentence for illegal fishing in Nyandarua, corroborated Rono’s account. Both men identified Odhiambo from a photograph presented in court and pointed out the rangers accused of abduction

The court further heard that Odhiambo’s lifeless body was last seen at the back of the KWS Land Cruiser.

Magistrate Kibelion directed the County Police Commander to provide security for all parties when the court visits the alleged arrest site on November 10, where the investigating officer is expected to give testimony.

Nearly eight months since his disappearance, Odhiambo’s whereabouts remain unknown.