Court To Rule On Case Against Six KWS Officers Over Fisherman Brian’s Disappearance

By Suleiman Mbatiah

A Nakuru court will on March 3 rule on whether six Kenya Wildlife Service officers charged over the disappearance of fisherman Brian Odhiambo have a case to answer.

Senior Principal Magistrate Kipkurui Kibellion said the court will rely on submissions by the defence, the victims and the prosecution evidence on record.

The six officers are Francis Wachira, Alexander Lorogoi, Isaac Ochieng, Michael Wabukala, Evans Kimaiyo and Abdulrahman Ali Sudi.

They were charged in May 2025 with abducting Odhiambo, a Nakuru fisherman who went missing on January 18, 2025.

The prosecution alleges that the officers unlawfully detained Odhiambo before he disappeared under unclear circumstances within Nakuru County.

The accused denied the charge and were released on bond pending the hearing and determination of the case.

Fifteen witnesses testified for the prosecution, including family members, fellow fishermen and law enforcement officers involved in the initial investigation.

Investigators told the court that Odhiambo was last seen near Lake Nakuru on the day he went missing.

According to witness accounts, he had earlier been questioned by uniformed officers during an operation targeting alleged illegal fishing activities.

The prosecution closed its case after presenting documentary evidence and witness statements linking the accused to the alleged abduction.

Defence lawyers have argued that the evidence tendered does not meet the legal threshold required to place the accused on their defence.

They maintain that there are gaps and inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case and urged the court to acquit the officers at this stage.

Under Kenyan criminal procedure, the court must determine whether the prosecution has established a prima facie case before requiring accused persons to defend themselves.

If the court finds that a case has been made out, the officers will be placed on their defence and may choose to testify or remain silent.