The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has disclosed that an investigation is underway to probe the disappearance of a 31-year-old man after an encounter with KWS officers at Lake Nakuru National Park.
In a statement on Thursday, January 23, KWS noted that the officers linked with the incident have already recorded a statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI).
"The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) acknowledges the community’s concerns regarding recent incidents inside Lake Nakuru National Park involving illegal fishing, a missing person, and subsequent demonstrations.
"KWS is fully cooperating with all security agencies to uncover the facts, ensure justice is done, and uphold accountability. The KWS officers linked to the matter have recorded statements with the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and investigations are ongoing," KWS remarked.
The wildlife watchdog stated that DCI was thoroughly probing the disappearance of 31-year-old Brian Otieno and was engaging with his family.
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"The alleged disappearance of Mr. Brian Odhiambo, a 31-year-old man reported missing on 18th January 2025, after an encounter with KWS officers, is under thorough investigation by the DCI. We recognize the sensitivity of this matter and we are engaging with the affected families, community representatives, and stakeholders to foster understanding and promote collaboration," KWS explained.
In the meantime, the service called for calmness after protests erupted on Thursday, resulting in the destruction of a section of Lake Nakuru National Park.
KWS noted that it is committed to a fair and transparent resolution of the matter.
"We urge the public to avoid actions that escalate tensions, such as destroying park infrastructure, as these hinder conservation efforts and compromise public and wildlife safety," KWS stated.
