KWS rangers linked to missing fisherman

Six Kenya Wildlife Service rangers before Principal Magistrate Kipkurui Kibelion at the Nakuru Law Courts on May 5, 2025. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard] Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers on Monday described a suspect they arrested on January 18 whose appearance and circumstances match that of missing Nakuru fisherman Brian Odhiambo. Three KWS rangers, Gideon Chemirmir, Brian Muniu, and Lual Gordon - testified in a case against six of their colleagues charged with Odhiambo's abduction on January 18. Their testimony matched that of Odhiambo's mother, brother, and neighbours regarding the time of arrest, location, and his clothing. The rangers also confirmed that the suspect, arrested alone on January 18, was wearing a black jacket and trousers, consistent with earlier witness accounts. Ten others were arrested separately. Ranger Chemirmir, who served as the driver during the operation, told Principal Magistrate Kipkurui Kibelion that he transported at least 10 KWS rangers to apprehend suspects, including one matching Odhiambo's description. A visibly tense and sweating Chemirmir testified against his superior, Senior Sergeant Francis Wachira, who is among six officers charged with the abduction of Brian Odhiambo. Wachira is charged alongside rangers Alexander Lorogoi, Isaac Ochieng, Michael Wabukala, Evans Kimaiyo, and Abdulrahaman Suli. On January 18, Chemirmir began patrolling Lion Hill at 7:30am, driving a green Land Cruiser with Wachira and other rangers. Near a sewage area, two rangers on foot reported a suspect fleeing within the park. Chemirmir drove towards the location. He testified that two rangers chased the suspect, apprehended him, and were joined by two more. "He was in a dirty black jacket and trousers, running toward the fence," said Chemirmir. "They caught him and brought him to the cruiser." Chemirmir said the rangers wore green uniforms and caps to cover their faces, but denied claims that Odhiambo was harassed before being taken to the vehicle. The suspect was then transferred to another KWS cruiser, green and white in colour, where he was reportedly tied with a rope and handed over to ranger Abdulrahaman Suli. The other rangers joined Chemirmir, leaving Suli alone with the suspect. "We later went to Vietnam, where we arrested 10 others. They were taken to Bondeni Police Station," Chemirmir added, noting he never saw the initial suspect again. Rangers Muniu and Gordon supported Chemirmir's account. Gordon, a long-serving ranger in Nakuru, confirmed the suspect's clothing and that he was the only one arrested alone that day. He identified Ochieng and Kimaiyo as the first to chase the suspect, later joined by Lorogoi and Wabukala. Gordon also mentioned a casual labourer nearby, cutting grass close to the arrest site. "Wachira spoke to him, but I don't know what they discussed," he testified. The testimonies echoed earlier witness accounts. On May 19, Agnes Achieng, a neighbour, testified that she witnessed four rangers chasing and assaulting Odhiambo outside the park. "It was around 10am. He jumped over the fence, and they followed him. Two in green uniforms, with faces covered, kicked him in the head and stomach before dragging him to their cruiser," she said. Achieng added that two more rangers joined in during the arrest. Odhiambo's brother, Carlos Otieno, testified that he saw Brian around 9am at their mother's house. "He had tea and left to go fishing," Otieno said. Moments later, a casual labourer, Alex, shouted that Odhiambo had been arrested by KWS officers. Otieno ran toward the fence, where he saw four officers dragging his brother, two holding his hands and two his legs, while kicking him. "I followed them, pleaded for a discussion, but they ignored me," he told the court. Odhiambo's mother, Elizabeth Auma, emotionally testified that she also witnessed the arrest and pleaded with the officers to stop. "They ignored my cries," she said. Senior Sergeant Wachira is charged with Odhiambo's abduction alongside rangers Alexander Lorogoi, Isaac Ochieng, Michael Wabukala, Evans Kimaiyo, and Abdulrahaman Suli. The hearing continues on July 21.

KWS rangers linked to missing fisherman

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Related Topics

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

DIGGER JOBS

Digger Motors

Digger Real Estate

KWS rangers linked to missing fisherman

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Related Topics

Trending Now

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS