Brian Odhiambo allegedly beaten, loaded into KWS Land Cruiser, court hears

A witness under protection has told a Nakuru court that he saw the missing fisherman, Brian Odhiambo, unconscious inside a Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Land Cruiser.

In a more revealing testimony, the witness, John Doe (not his real name), said that he identified Odhiambo lying unconscious in the vehicle.

Odhiambo went missing in January 2025 after he was allegedly arrested by KWS rangers at Lake Nakuru while illegally fishing.

Doe, who testified virtually from the Nakuru GK Prison, where he is serving a sentence for illegal fishing, made the revelation when testifying in a case where six KWS rangers are accused of abducting Odhiambo.

He told Principal Magistrate Kipkurui Kibelion that on January 18, 2025, he went fishing inside Lake Nakuru at around 8 AM.

However, he said that after some time, he saw some of his colleagues running from the Vietnam area and wondered what was happening before he saw KWS rangers chasing after them.

“I was inside the lake, and I got scared, so I got out of the lake and was surrendered by rangers, who were many and in different attire, and they arrested me,” testified Doe.

He said that, amidst the arrest, his friend was hit by a baton, and eight others who were arrested in different areas joined them.

Doe testified that they were ferried using a boat to Summit where they were ordered out and directed to lie down and wait for transportation.

“The rangers were ruthless, and when one lifted his head, he was hit with blows and kicks. “I lay down facing the side of the road,” he said.

After some time, Doe testified that a green KWS Land Cruiser approached and reversed to pick them up.

He said that he lifted his head and saw a person lying on his stomach, unconscious.

According to Doe, a ranger opened the door and instructed the person inside the Land Cruiser to move and create space for the others, but he did not move.

“The ranger pushed the man and directed him to move; he did not move or talk back,” testified Doe.

He said that the ranger turned the man, lifted his head, and inspected him by holding his neck to check for a pulse.

At that point, Doe said he recognised the man as Odhiambo. He testified that Odhiambo was in black sports shorts with white stripes, but he had no shirt or shoes.

He said that the officers signaled to the others in gestures, showing that the man alleged to be Odhiambo must have died, but his in-charge silenced him in gestures.

“The ranger showed signs that Odhiambo was dead, but his in-charge shushed him and directed the driver to drive off. The car drove off to a bush near the lake, and at the same time, I was kicked and ordered to look down. We did not see the vehicle again,” he testified.

He said that although the vehicle was meant to carry them, they had to wait for another cruiser to come for them.

“We did not understand why the Land Cruiser drove to the bush instead of driving to the offices,” testified Doe.

According to Doe, one of the fishermen who had been assaulted and injured on the nose was released, while nine of them were driven to Bondeni Police Station.

He said that in fear, they lied to the police officers that they had not been assaulted until late in the night, when they had to be rushed to the hospital for treatment after complaining of being in pain.

He said that at the police station, they were asked about Odhiambo, but they said they had not seen him in fear of getting victimised.

Doe identified Odhiambo in court in a picture. He also identified five of six KWS rangers charged with abducting Odhiambo on the said date.

His evidence was corroborated by that of Alex Maina, a casual labourer who was slashing grass near where Odhiambo was allegedly taken by the KWS rangers.

Maina, who is in custody in Nyandarua for illegal fishing, testified that Odhiambo passed by where he was as he prepared to go fishing.

He testified that on that day, his heart was troubled and he was hesitant in fear of being attacked by wild animals, but he (Maina) wished him well before Odhiambo proceeded to the lake.

However, after some time, he said that he heard a loud sound of a vehicle approaching and saw Odhiambo running.

“The Land Cruiser was stopped, and KWS rangers alighted and chased after Odhiambo. It did not take long since he was exhausted. They started assaulting him,” he testified.

He said that after blows and kicks, they carried him, tearing his clothes, and he noticed that he was wearing black shorts with white stripes.

“They took him away and threw him in the cruiser like a sack of potatoes before driving away. They ignored my shouts and pleas,” he testified.

The case continues on September 8, when the last witness will testify.