Babu Owino Issues Demand To Ruto Over Missing Fisherman Brian Odhiambo

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino is now demanding that President William Ruto intervene in the matter of fisherman Brian Odhiambo, whose alleged disappearance has been linked to Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers.

The KWS officers based in Nakuru were taken to court for allegedly abducting Odhiambo over 20 days ago but were released even as the fisherman's whereabouts remain unknown.

"The courts released the officers even as the family, friends and well-wishers plead with the authorities to release the missing man and reunite him with his family," Owino stated on Friday, February 7.

The vocal Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) lawmaker highlighted the case of five chiefs who were abducted by suspected al-Shabaab militants and how President Ruto vowed to get the chiefs back to their families as a matter of urgency. 

Brian Odhiambo, who was allegedly forcibly taken on Saturday, January 18, 2025. /ODHIAMBO

A multi-agency team is currently working around the clock to secure the freedom of the chiefs and bring them back, with no update on the same by the time of publishing this article.

Owino urged the Head of State to use the same energy to see to it that Odhiambo is found and reunited with his family. "We support the effort to bring the chiefs back, but similarly, Brian Odhiambo must also be located and reunited with his distraught family.

"President Ruto, intervene and order KWS and local security agents in Nakuru to release Odhiambo and hand him over to his family, just as you have done in securing the release of the five chiefs. All those who were abducted must also be released," he appealed.

Odhiambo disappeared on Saturday, January 18, with Nakuru County residents reporting that they saw him being forcibly taken by KWS officers from Lake Nakuru National Park.

His suspected abduction sparked widespread protests in Nakuru, as locals demanded his release. At one point, the protesters set Lake Nakuru National Park on fire. The crowd lit bonfires and placed stones on the road effectively blocking access to the park which attracts hundreds of tourists daily.

On Thursday, February 6, Nakuru Law Courts Judge, Justice Julius Nangea ruled that there was no sufficient evidence to prove that Odhiambo had been detained by KWS officers.

"The 1st and 2nd respondents have denied having the subject in their custody and there being no sufficient evidence to the contrary, no further orders or directions will be used in relation to the habeas corpus application. Let the prosecution process that is underway take its course," Justice Nangea ruled.

The ruling left Odhiambo's mother, Elizabeth Auma, distraught as she broke down in court and fell to her knees. 

KWS acknowledged arresting a man they claimed was engaged in illegal fishing in the Sewage area of Lake Nakuru National Park but stated that they did not record his name. However, the case took an unexpected turn when a KWS officer assigned to guard the suspect, believed to be Brian Odhiambo, alleged that he had escaped while in custody.

The officer, later identified as Abdulrahman Sudi, detailed Odhiambo’s escape in an affidavit presented in court. He stated that the suspect had requested permission to relieve himself while in custody, and upon granting the request, the man managed to flee.

Sudi claimed he attempted to recapture the suspect, later identified as Brian Odhiambo, but he evaded arrest. The ranger, who serves as a driver, denied allegations that Odhiambo was assaulted or harmed while in KWS custody.

Odhiambo’s disappearance has caused deep distress for his family, with his mother and wife publicly appealing to authorities for his safe return. Having been missing for over two weeks, his case has sparked growing concern among his family, human rights organizations, and the public, as fears mount over whether he is still alive.